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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
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ROCHESTER AREA FAIRS WELL AT CAPITOL THIS SESSION
ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Legislature adjourned this week, delivering needed resources and strong investments for Rochester and surrounding communities. Rochester will benefit from a number of capital improvements, increased Local Government Aid (LGA), additional County Program Aid (CPA) for Olmsted County, new funding for Rochester School District #535, and several innovative pilot programs focused on job training and economic development.
"The Rochester community faired very well in the Legislature this year," said State Representative Kim Norton (DFL - Rochester). "We worked together to strengthen our community, continue the growth and success of our local and regional economies, and provide area residents with the quality of life they both expect and deserve."
Rochester citizens will benefit from significant property tax relief this year. Over the last five years, property taxes have increased over $2 billion statewide. If nothing were done to correct the problem this year, Minnesotans would have seen another half-billion increase in property taxes. But lawmakers worked together this year to provide $25 million in direct property tax relief to homeowners who need it most, direct $60 million in increased aid to local governments, and implement a 3.9 percent levy limit over the next three years indexed for inflation.
"Because of this important measure, the City of Rochester will receive an additional $1.5 million in Local Government Aid," said Norton. "On top of that, Olmsted County will be provided an additional $741,327 in County Program Aid. Those resources will help our local governments provide core services for area residents including police and fire protection, water treatment, and more. By helping our local governments deliver on the basics, we can help keep money in the hands of Rochester property taxpayers and improve the quality of life in our community."
In the second year of the legislative biennium, Minnesota lawmakers focused on providing necessary resources for capital improvements. Rochester faired very well in this year's bonding package, receiving hundreds of millions of dollars for projects that will strengthen area infrastructure, bring new jobs to the community, and enhance economic development efforts and higher education institutions throughout the region. Those projects include:
§ Planning for the Rochester Mayo Civic Center;
§ A Southeastern Minnesota Regional Public Safety Training Center;
§ Drudging and restoration of Lake Zumbro;
§ Funding for Chester Woods Trail;
§ HEAPR funding for Rochester Community and Technical College; and
§ Planning for the Rochester Community and Technical College/Workforce co-location.
"Making these important investments will strengthen critical infrastructure in our community," said Rep. Norton. "Most importantly, it will improve our classroom facilities at area institutions for higher education and workforce training - helping Rochester citizens train effectively for good-paying jobs in a changing, competitive economy."
Because of an education funding package providing $51 in new funding for every Minnesota student, Rochester School District #535 will receive an additional $940,000 in 2009. $30 of the new funding will be ongoing from the Permanent School Trust Fund.
"Providing this new funding was an important effort that will help our schools provide all Rochester students the best education possible," said Norton. "More than that, it will lay the groundwork for long-term education funding reform in the coming legislative session."
Focused on strengthening Minnesota's economy and creating jobs, area lawmakers passed legislation to build on a successful workforce development program in Rochester. The Lifetrack skills program is intended to help new immigrants in Rochester train effectively for success in the workforce. The program is proven to get new residents into solid, good-paying jobs in the Rochester community.
"By dedicating a small amount of money into this highly effective program, we can give new residents in Rochester the tools they need to train effectively for success in the local workforce," said Rep. Norton who authored the bill. "By giving these people access to jobs, they can sustain a good quality of life for themselves and their families, while contributing constructively to our community."
To help Minnesota schools adapt appropriately to the changing demographics of our state, lawmakers approved another measure carried by Norton this year to create a new Teachers of Color pilot program in Rochester. The program encourages students of color to pursue careers in education. If the program is successful, it could be implemented statewide.
Achievements made in transportation this session were long overdue. Twenty years of under-funding has left the state $2.4 billion behind every year in maintaining our current transportation system. But Minnesota lawmakers came together this session to provide essential resources for the construction and maintenance of safe roads and bridges in our state. The City of Rochester will receive an additional $9.4 million for transportation over the next ten years. Olmsted County will benefit from another $22.5 million.
"This new transportation funding will alleviate a growing property tax burden on Rochester residents and provide necessary resources to improve and maintain a safe and reliable transportation system in our area," said Rep. Norton. "Property taxpayers shouldn't be stuck with the bill for a road or bridge that should have been built on state dollars."
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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