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State Representative Tom Anzelc
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4936
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
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2008 LEGISLATURE DELIVERS RESULTS AND ADJOURNS ON TIME
BALANCED BUDGET, HEALTH CARE REFORM, EDUCATION FUNDING, AND PROPERTY TAY RELIEF
St. Paul, MN – Lawmakers concluded a successful 2008 legislative session with passage of a budget-balancing bill that closes tax loopholes for foreign-operating companies, and provides needed funding for public schools and nursing homes. In addition, the legislature passed a significant health care reform bill and a property tax relief bill that will deliver direct and permanent property tax relief to Northern Minnesota. Rep. Tom Anzelc (DFL – Balsam Township) considered the 2007-2008 session a major success, saying that Northern Minnesota will benefit greatly from the productive session.
"Coming into the session we knew we had a jobs problem, a transportation problem, and an education funding problem. The people of Northern Minnesota depended on us at the Capitol to find solutions," said Anzelc. "I am glad to report we have fought and worked hard to get results on these most important issues. We are creating thousands of new jobs, building safer roads and bridges, and providing needed funding for our public schools. This session was a success."
Anzelc said a big part of the successful 2008 session was the jobs created in the 2008 bonding bill. The bill included $28 million to fund infrastructure for the Minnesota Steel project. In total, the project is expected to create 2 thousand construction jobs, as well as 700 permanent, full-time jobs.
"The jobs that are coming will not only put hard-working Minnesotans to work, but will revitalize the economy of the entire region," said Anzelc. "2008 will be a year that people remember as the year we revitalized Western Mesabi Iron Range for years to come. I along with my constituents eagerly await news of the start of the MN Steel project."
Anzelc said education funding was a top priority entering the session, and was pleased they were able to provide a funding increase to schools across the state despite the budget deficit. Every school district will receive a $51 per-pupil funding increase and have the option to transfer an additional $51 per-pupil from their capital fund to their general fund. In addition, legislation authored by Anzelc will make school levy referendum questions that appear on ballots more clear so voters can better understand what they are asked to vote for.
"We all knew the budget deficit was going to make it hard to put the kind of money into public schools that they need, but we were still able to maintain our commitment to our schools in this difficult economy," said Anzelc. "The funding we put into schools this year moves us in the right direction to the overall funding reform our schools need next year."
The legislature also passed a significant health care reform bill that provides health coverage to 12,000 previously uninsured Minnesotans and sets an affordability scale so no Minnesotan pays more than 8.8% of their income on health care premiums. Anzelc was a co-author. Along with health care reform, the legislature passed a property tax relief bill that delivers permanent property tax relief to most Minnesotans. The bill provides $60 million in local aid to cities and counties and included inflationary increases to help local cities and counties keep property taxes down in coming years. The bill also expands direct property tax relief to homeowners who quality for direct property tax refunds by 27.5%, infusing $25 million into the property tax refund program.
With session coming to close, Anzelc said he looks forward to returning home to discuss the results of the session with his constituents.
"I look forward to spending this summer and fall in the Border Country and watching the revitalization of the Western Mesabi Iron Range," said Anzelc. "More than anything, I look forward to getting input and ideas from everyone across the district about what still needs to be done to better Northern Minnesota in the coming years."
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News Items
- STATE REPRESENTATIVE TOM ANZELC APPOINTED VICE-CHAIR OF HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 12:00AM)
- Rep. Tom Anzelc participates in Governor Dayton’s “Working for Minnesota Jobs” discussion with Essar Steel and Magnetation - (Posted: 2012-10-03 00:00:00)
- REP. ANZELC: DISASTER RELIEF PACKAGE PROVIDES DESPERATELY NEEDED STATE AID - (Posted: 2012-08-24 00:00:00)
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