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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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2008 LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAS LOCAL IMPACT
ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Legislature adjourned May 18, after what has been widely heralded as one of the most productive legislative sessions in recent memory. Facing a $935 million budget deficit brought on by a nationwide economic downturn, lawmakers buckled down, worked together, and delivered on the basics - issues affecting all Minnesotans. Among the session's most notable accomplishments were increased funding for K-12 schools, property tax relief, meaningful health care reform, key movement on transportation, the creation of 40,000 new jobs, essential investments in local infrastructure, and a balanced budget.
"We got things done this session," said State Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL - South St. Paul). "For the second year straight, we finished on-time and on-budget. With new leadership and a new vision for Minnesota, we made the necessary investments and reforms that will make our state stronger."
A key provision approved by lawmakers will deliver an additional $51 for every Minnesota student in 2009 - amounting to a $49 million increase in education funding statewide. The bill would provide needed resources for area schools, including an additional:
§ $193,637 for South St. Paul District #6
§ $1,623,783 for Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan District #196
§ $265,023 for West. St. Paul District #197
"Providing this new funding will do more than provide additional stability for schools in 2009," said Rep. Hansen. "It will also lay the groundwork for comprehensive education funding reform efforts already underway, in the coming legislative session - efforts capable of providing reliable school funding resources for all K-12 schools in the state, well into the future."
Major movement was made this session on health care reform as well. Lawmakers worked closely with health policy experts and private practitioners over the course of 11 months, crafting nation-leading reforms to increase access and affordability in Minnesota's broken health care system. The bill, signed into law today by Governor Pawlenty, will: 1) provide coverage for an additional 12,000 Minnesotans; 2) establish a new affordability standard for those at or below 300 percent of FPG; 3) focus on preventative care to curb the frequency of costly chronic diseases; 4) streamline payment systems to help eliminate unnecessary administrative waste; 5) help small businesses provide more affordable health care coverage for their employees.
"Too many people are being priced out of quality care - or any care at all," said Hansen. "That's why it was so essential to finally break way on health care reform efforts this session. In doing so, we are putting Minnesota at the forefront of quality, innovative health care, making our state a healthier place to live."
Providing relief to Minnesotans after years of staggering property tax hikes totaling over $2.3 billion was a central effort for House Democrats again this year. If nothing were done this year, property taxes were slated to escalate by another half-billion dollars. After several years of effort, House DFLers were able to reach a compromise with Governor Pawlenty to finally address the problem. The plan approved this year will deliver an additional $25 million in direct aid to homeowners who need it most and a $60 million increase in Local Government Aid (LGA) to municipal and county governments to help pay for basic services. Over the next three years, local property tax levies will also be limited to no more than 3.9 percent adjusted for inflation.
"Minnesotans deserve a tax system that treats everyone fairly, and provides necessary relief for those who need it the most. This plan does that," said Hansen. "It also gives our local units of government the resources they need to provide essential basic services for their citizens - while limiting the amount they can levy. This was a sound compromise that will get the ball rolling on returning our tax system to a more progressive model."
Another signature accomplishment of the 2008 Legislative Session were the many critical investments made in local infrastructure - putting thousands of people to work making our state stronger. Over seventy percent of this year's bonding bill was dedicated to state colleges and universities in communities throughout the state. Much of the rest of the bill was dedicated to clean water efforts, environmental infrastructure, parks and trails, a Central Corridor project connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul by rail, and more.
The bonding bill delivered considerable resources for south metro communities including:
§ $1.4 million for the Dakota County North Urban Regional Trail
§ $200,000 for transportation and emerging technology lab design at Dakota County Technical College
§ $13.2 million for classroom additions and renovation at Inver Hills Community College
§ $13.5 million for a transportation and applied technology lab at St. Paul Community College
"This bill was about maintaining and enhancing the economic strength of our state," said Rep. Hansen. "These efforts will put thousands of Minnesotans to work, and build the infrastructure that will support our state's critical economic development, and workforce training efforts. By making these responsible investments today, we are laying the foundation for long-term economic success and harnessing the good-paying jobs of tomorrow."
The $935 million budget deficit was resolved with a moderate use of the state's budget reserve, over $300 million in budget cuts, and the closing of tax loopholes for foreign operating corporations.
Additional information on the over 4,000 bills considered by the Legislature this biennium can be found online at www.house.mn.
News Items
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