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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
Press/News Releases
LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS; ACHIEVES PROGRESS THIS SESSION
ST. PAUL After five months of committee work, negotiations, and several weeks of long, sleepless nights due to extended debate on the House floor, the hard work of legislators finally paid off. The final hours of the legislative session were packed with activity, passing a number of large finance bills all the way up to the midnight deadline. And under new leadership, the Legislature finished its job on time for the first time in eight years without the need for a special session.
"The people of Rochester told me they wanted us to get the job done on time," said Rep. Kim Norton (DFL Rochester). "I am glad that we could deliver results for the people of Minnesota in a timely and efficient manner this session."
The DFL-controlled House and Senate passed a strong legislative package this session, focused on funding the basics and moving Minnesota toward progress in the years to come. Among the achievements that will highlight the success of this year's session are:
· An 8% increase of over $800 million for Minnesota schools.
· Increased funding for early childhood education programs.
· Health care reform including coverage for over 37,000 Minnesota kids without insurance.
· Tax fairness through property tax relief, closing corporate loopholes, and increased tax compliance.
· The boldest renewable energy standard in the nation.
· Funding to halt tuition increases to reduce the burden on students in higher education institutions.
"We focused on the basics this session and achieved good things for the state of Minnesota," said Norton. "By focusing on the basics, we were able to begin the work of building a strong foundation for the future of our state."
Rep. Norton was particularly pleased with a provision in the Higher Education bill that provides $25 million funding in this biennium, plus $8M ongoing in the base, for the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics in Rochester. As vice-chair of the Bioscience and Emerging Technologies Division and member of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Division, Rep Norton authored the bill and played an instrumental role in the its passage this session. Rep. Andy Welti was also key in securing this funding as a Higher Education Conference Committee member.
"This funding will provide additional resources to a program that has already yielded positive results in the field of science and for the well-being of our state," said Norton. "It will keep Minnesota on the leading edge of bioscience research, discovery, and innovation. Reinvesting in this important program is good for science, good for our state, and good for Rochester."
A LifeSkills job-training proposal that Norton authored was also included in the Economic Development bill. This proposal provides $50,000 for a pilot program in Rochester aimed at assisting the unemployed in securing jobs.
"A lot of progress was made this session on important initiatives that will make our state a better place for all Minnesotans," said Norton. "It has been an honor to serve the Rochester community and this state in the Legislature, and I look forward to continuing progress in the key issues next session."
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- Its 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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