Accessibility menu
State Representative David Bly
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0171
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
GUEST COLUMN
The 2008 Session: Opportunities for Greater Minnesota
The 2008 legislative session will begin on February 12th and I wanted to preview the important issues facing our state that we will be addressing this year at the legislature.
The first priority at the legislature this year will be to address the slowing economy and impending budget deficit. Current economic projections forecast a state budget deficit around $373 million dollars. We must act responsibly to balance the budget, and look to both short-term and long-term solutions that can create jobs and boost our economy.
Minnesota for the first time in a long while is lagging behind the national average in job growth. It will be important for us to quickly pass a Capital Investment bill that will create more than 10,000 jobs in Minnesota, many of these in rural regions who have been hit particularly hard by job losses in the construction sector. As part of the bonding bill, I will introduce a proposal to will get us closer to completing the Mills Town Trail from Mankato to Redwing through Northfield and Faribault.
We can also enhance the long-term health of our economy through investment in renewable energy and biosciences, establishing Minnesota as a regional center for these booming industries. I have authored legislation that will encourage local ownership of small energy projects. This legislation will generate more renewable energy and promote local ownership of those projects.
Securing the safety of our roads and bridges and alleviating traffic congestions is another top priority. It has become abundantly clear that Minnesota needs a comprehensive transportation package. By MnDOT’s forecast, we are $2.4 billion a year behind on the road and bridge improvements we need to keep up. A renewed commitment to our transportation system will make our roads and bridges safer, create hundred of much-needed construction jobs, and lessen local funding reliance for roads and bridges that has played a significant role in spiking property taxes.
The state faces other pressing challenges that we must address. Many of our nursing homes are struggling, especially in rural areas. I will work to secure adequate funding so nursing homes and the long-term care workers have the resources and tools they need to care for our senior citizens.
With property taxes expected to go up another $600 million this year, its clear we need to restore some balance and fairness to our tax policy. Hard working homeowners, especially in rural areas, continue to shoulder far too great a burden to pay for roads, bridges, and schools through property tax increases. We passed property tax relief legislation last year that would have reduced property taxes for 99% of Minnesotans, but the Governor vetoed the legislation. I will continue to work this year to pass property tax relief legislation that the Governor will sign into law so that we can put an end to year-after-year property tax increases.
Last year we made important positive steps on health care reform, including providing health coverage to over 30,000 kids who were previously uninsured. However the conversations I have had with people in our district confirm that more work needs to be done. I keep hearing the same two things from people in our community – I can't afford my health insurance, and our health care system is broken. I have worked all summer with a number of legislative committees on health care so that we can best be prepared to make the kind of health care reforms that will have a real effect on the affordability and access of health coverage for Minnesotans. I believe major changes need to be made, and I will advocate for a series of reforms this year that will put us on the road to affordable health care coverage for every Minnesotan.
By acting responsibly in a time of economic uncertainty, we can help create economic security that will pave the way for further improvements in education, health care reform, and property tax reduction.
I am interested in your priorities and comments about the upcoming legislative session. I encourage you to call or e-mail me with your ideas and concerns. Throughout the session, I will continue to update you about the progress at the Capitol on the important issues that directly affect our district and state.
News Items
- Rep.-elect Bly Selected as Vice Chair of Housing Finance and Policy Committee - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 12:06PM)
- House Passes Flood Relief for Southern Minnesota in Special Session - (Posted: 2010-10-18 00:00:00)
- Governor signs eminent domain law to protect landowners - (Posted: 2010-05-03 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.