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State Representative Jeanne Poppe
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4193
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
NEWS COLUMN
Significant progress made in Legislature this week Area projects receive full funding in bonding bill
Progress was made on two major pieces of legislation this week at the Capitol, the bonding bill and the House Budget Resolution.
The agreement that was reached between the Conference Committee and the Governor on the state bonding bill was good news for everyone across the state. We were certainly fortunate in our area to be designated for over $37 million in project funds, full funding for all of the projects I introduced.
The total funding approved for our area was almost $11 million. Flood hazard mitigation and flood relief received a total of $4 million, with money going to Austin, Albert Lea, Freeborn County and Blooming Prairie. The Riverland Community College Science lab will receive $5.4 million, the larger amount that was recommended by the Senate, and the Shooting Star Trail is designated for $450,000.
We also are a designated CREP area, which means we can share in the $23 million that has been allocated in the bill. Riverland Community College will also share in the $3.083 million that is designated for the MnSCU Technology Initiative.
While this is certainly wonderful news for our area, it also signifies that the Conference Committee and the Governor recognized the value of our projects, making the decision to invest in infrastructure needs at Riverland and leveraging federal dollars in conjunction with state funds for CREP and the Shooting Star Trail.
There still remain a few language difficulties that need to be resolved with this bill, which could be done in time for a final vote as early as Monday. Speedy passage will ensure that these projects can get started with the spring construction season. It is anticipated that as many as 10,000 new jobs will be created statewide with the start of these projects.
The other piece that was voted on this week was the House Budget Resolution. I voted against this, as I do not feel that it adequately funds education, health care and public services. If passed, this budget proposal will once again shift the burden of funding core Minnesota values to property owners, containing the largest property tax increase in state history with a total of $441 million.
Another problem with this bill is that it assumes that the Governor's plan for state gambling will be implemented, citing those revenues as part of the solution. This is a risky gamble. Just this week Attorney General Mike Hatch gave his opinion that these casinos are not constitutional, which will clearly prohibit or at least delay this option. We cannot approve a budget that relies on mythical money.
The budget resolution passed by one vote in the Republican controlled House.
I did vote for an amendment to the budget, however. The Dorman/Greiling Amendment, proposed by Rep. Dan Dorman (R-Albert Lea) and Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville), would have increased the maximum limit on general fund expenditures by $358 million and could have directed those funds to the K-12 education budget.
It is clear that we are not adequately funding public education throughout the state. I heard this message from area residents throughout my campaign and since I've been in office. In response to these concerns, House DFL first-termers are hosting education summits in several school districts within the state. We will be meeting in Austin on Sunday, April 10 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at the Austin High School auditorium. Please join us to share your concerns and advice regarding the future of public education.
At first there was bipartisan support indicated for this amendment. When it came to the vote, however, only two Republicans crossed the aisle in support of education. The amendment failed by a vote of 72 to 61.
Clearly, there is a lot of work left to be done. It is gratifying to have such a high level of success with the bonding bill, now we need to continue to work toward the same high standard on the state budget.
Please feel free to call or write if you have ideas or concerns you want to share about state or local issues. I can be reached by phone at 1-888-682-3180 or 1-651-296-4193, by mail at 231 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at the above address. If you are interested in receiving my e-newsletter, please email me at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn and your name will be added to our list.
News Items
- POPPE SELECTED AS AGRICULTURE POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIR - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- Rep. Jeanne Poppe Encourages High School Juniors to Apply for Minnesota House of Representatives Page Program - Application Deadline is November 19th - (Posted: 2012-11-12 00:00:00)
- HORMEL INSTITUTE EXPANSION SIGNED INTO LAW - 2012 legislative session adjourns sine die - (Posted: 2012-05-11 00:00:00)
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