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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
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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 – The 2008 Legislative adjourned on time for the second consecutive year this Sunday. The legislature finished the session by passing a budget-balancing bill that increased funding for schools and nursing homes, a significant health care reform bill, and much needed property tax relief bill. Rep. Tim Faust (DFL – Mora) called the 2008 session a fast-paced, and productive success on the issues most important to Minnesotans.
"When I campaigned in 2006 I heard time and again that people wanted more affordable health care, lower property taxes, and adequate school funding," said Faust. "With my second session now finished, we have now delivered results on these bread and butter issues that affect the lives of nearly every Minnesotan."
The budget-balancing bill the Legislature passed provides increased funding for schools and nursing homes. The bill included $51 per-pupil in additional funding for every school district in the state and a 2% cost-of-living-adjustment to nursing homes.
"In 2003 schools and nursing homes were hurt badly by budget cuts and it was important to make sure that did not happen again," said Faust. "Equitable funding for schools and nursing homes keeps Minnesota on the right track in this difficult economic time."
The property tax bill the legislature passed will reduce property taxes for most people living in Senate District 8. Property owners will have their property taxes increases capped at 3.9 percent over the next three years, and property tax relief will provide $60 million in new funding to local governments and $25 million directly to homeowners. Faust was pleased compromise could be reached in bi-partisan fashion to get results.
"We passed two property tax bills last year, but the Governor vetoed them. I felt this was too important an issue to be halted by partisanship this year," said Faust. "I am glad we were able to come together on a bill with wide support from both Republicans and Democrats for the common purpose of reducing property taxes for most Minnesotans."
Faust said job creation was a big part of the 2008 session as well. The bonding bill passed earlier in the session is expected to create thousands of Minnesota jobs.
"We emphasized projects that were ready-to-go because it was important to get people back to work," said Faust. "The bonding bill will help create good-paying jobs in our area and across the state."
Faust was also glad that in both of his first two sessions at the Capitol, the Legislature was able to finish all of their work before their Constitutional deadline.
"I am glad we have bucked the trend of the first part of this decade where we spent multiple years in gridlock and special session," said Faust. "This legislature worked together to get results for Minnesotans and to get those results accomplished on time.
News Items
- Kyle Herman Bill Signed into Law - (Posted: 2010-04-28 00:00:00)
- To Students, Teachers, and Parents: Have a great year - (Posted: 2009-09-14 00:00:00)
- LEGISLATIVE SESSION CONCLUDES - (Posted: 2009-05-19 00:00:00)
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