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State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
NEWS COLUMN
REP. KIM NORTON'S STATEMENTS FROM HOUSE FLOOR REGARDING AGRICULTURE, VETERANS' AFFAIRS, PUBLIC SAFETY, & ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
AGRICULTURE & VETERAN'S AFFAIRS
I was pleased to vote for this bill and encouraged to see it pass with such broad-based bipartisan support.
Should the bill be signed into law by the Governor, it will not only help farming families in Minnesota; it will also give our state a leg up on energy reform – specifically in the production of biofuels and other renewable energy resources. The provisions of this bill will supplement the progress we have made thus far with the 25/25 Renewable Energy Standard signed into law just a few months ago. This is a step in the right direction for our state.
I am particularly pleased with the benefits and resources that this bill provides for our veterans. This legislation comes at an important time, as over 3,000 Minnesotans currently deployed in Iraq are due to return home soon. Highlights of the veterans' initiatives in the bill include: funding for suicide prevention and psychological support for returning combat veterans; a 14% increase in funding for the State Soldier Assistance Program; increased funding for Veterans County Service Officer Assistance grants to enhance programs provided to veterans; increased funding for Veteran's outreach, including tribal veterans service offices; extension of education benefits for the spouses of soldiers killed in action.
These are all excellent initiatives that will benefit our veterans significantly. Upon their return, they deserve our support for themselves and their families.
ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY
This bill is one more testament to the fact that we as a Legislature are serious about energy reform. Sound scientific evidence, economic opportunity, and the people of our state have called on Minnesota lawmakers to enact strong, meaningful policies capable of putting us on the cutting edge of nation-leading energy reform. The energy initiatives included in the provisions of this bill do just that.
Not only does this bill continue to move our state forward on energy reform; it works to protect and improve our many precious natural resources that Minnesotans hold so dear. The bill also appropriates funding to clean up Minnesota waters within the next ten years through the Clean Water Legacy Act, and addresses several critical emerging issues pertinent to preservation and restoration of native prairies, invasive species, and global warming.
The bill we passed in the House balances protection of our state's vast natural resources with sound recreation and economic opportunities. It ensures that our children will be able to enjoy the outdoors that we know and love for years to come.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Early Wednesday morning we passed what I consider to be a comprehensive public safety policy and finance bill. The bill creates a more effective criminal justice system, exceeds most of the Governor's recommendations to enhance the state's public safety system including courts, corrections, law enforcement, and victims' rights, and significantly speeds up the state's court system by funding 9 new judge units for the state. One of these new judges would be placed in Olmstead County to help alleviate the large caseloads that are currently backing up our court system. The bill also provides property tax relief at the local level by increasing reimbursements to local and regional governments for housing short-term offenders. I am pleased with the bill and hopeful that it will be signed into law this session.
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- It’s Time for Legislature to Get Back to Basics, Balance the Budget Honestly - (Posted: 2012-12-11 00:00:00)
- Second Saturday Coffee Meeting Date Changed to December 9 - (Posted: 2012-12-03 00:00:00)
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