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State Representative Tim Faust
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0518
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
Column/LTE
SPECIAL SESSION DELIVERS EMERGENCY RELIEF, BUT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE
Last week I attended a listening session in southeast Minnesota to hear from people affected by the flooding. To see the damage was disheartening, to say the least. But to hear the determination and the resolve of the flood victims was, to say the least, inspiring. The motto in the flood area is “never ever give up", and they haven’t.
The floods destroyed homes, businesses, and crops. Even worse, massive erosion has damaged some land so badly that it cannot be restored. We held a much needed special session last week to provide SE Minnesota with $147 million in disaster relief. These funds will help them begin to rebuild their homes and businesses, but it’s their perseverance and community spirit that will allow them reclaim their lives and communities. In the words of one Representative, "there but for the grace of God go I, or my constituents."
The coordinated effort to swiftly and efficiently assist fellow Minnesotans in their time of need demonstrated government at its best. The people in SE Minnesota needed immediate relief, and I am happy the Governor called us back for a special session to deal with that issue.
Governor Pawlenty insisted that if there was going to be a special session, we address a limited agenda. Along with $147 million in flood relief, we made $3.7 million in grants available for agriculture producers in drought-stricken counties that have been federally declared an emergency. This includes Isanti County. Also, we were also able to pass an exemption for townships from the HAVA law. Dealing with local elections, this exemption will save townships $1.6 million statewide.
While I am happy about our disaster relief package, I am disappointed we were not able to accomplish more – especially with respect to property tax relief.
I continue to read and hear about how local governments strapped for cash being forced to increase property taxes. Last legislative session, the Governor vetoed two forms of a tax bill that would have reduced the burden on local governments and the fact is, if we would have passed some form of one of those bills, property taxes would be going down instead of going up. When we go back into session in February, it will be too late to impact 2008 taxes and an opportunity for permanent and necessary property tax reductions will have been lost.
Enacting substantial property tax relief will remain a top priority for me when we return to the legislature next February.
Finally, I promised during the election that any extra pay I received from any special session, I would donate to the Little League baseball teams in our area. We only met for one day, it won’t be a lot for each team (so maybe I'll round up a little) but the checks should be in the mail soon.
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