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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
ECONOMIC DOWNTURN RESULTS IN $4.8 BILLION STATE BUDGET DEFICIT
ST. PAUL - The nationwide economic downturn is taking a toll on state budgets, Minnesota included. Minnesota Department of Revenue officials announced today Minnesota will face a $4.8 billion budget shortfall (not including inflation) that lawmakers must resolve in the upcoming legislative session. Forty-two other states are facing similar budget deficits due to lower receipts from income, sales, corporate, and other state revenue sources.
State Representative Kim Norton (DFL - Rochester) expressed her concerns today about Minnesota’s expected budget shortfall, and the serious economic challenges affecting Minnesotans.
“Last year we resolved a $935 million budget deficit," said Rep. Norton. “Lawmakers recognized that shortfall was the beginning of what could, and did, become a very serious economic problem. We took action to invest in needed job growth and economic development, laying the groundwork to help stabilize our economy. Thousands of new jobs were created in transportation and infrastructure construction. Still, the situation nationwide continued to worsen, taking Minnesota jobs with it. Minnesota has lost nearly 30,000 jobs over the last twelve months alone.”
According to State Economist Tom Stinson, Minnesota isn’t out of the woods yet. Facing the worst economic recession the state has seen in 25 years, Stinson expects the state will lose another 77,000 jobs in 2009. Rep. Norton, along with other state leaders, is calling for swift action to balance the looming deficit responsibly and rebuild the state’s lagging economy.
“We are facing a unique and urgent challenge,” said Norton. “Resolving this budget deficit and putting Minnesotans back to work will require a responsible approach that gets to the heart of the problem - our struggling economy. Lawmakers need to embrace a common effort for substantive change, and adopt a comprehensive long-term plan to reform government and reshape our economy.”
Rep. Norton also called on legislative leaders to pursue the counsel of economic experts and leaders in private industry as lawmakers pursue new job growth and budget-balancing measures in the upcoming legislative session. Norton stressed the need to consider all options moving forward to ensure the quickest, most effective response to the current economic recession.
“Currently, the Rochester area economy is performing above the state average. Unemployment in Rochester is at 4.7 percent, compared to the statewide average of 6.0 percent. I will continue working with local business leaders and listening to working families in our area to pursue bipartisan solutions that will help keep Rochester strong through this economic crisis,” said Norton. “I am committed to working together with my colleagues in the Legislature and taking advice from all my constituents; because we all have a stake in the outcome.”
Rep. Norton encourages all constituents to contact her throughout the legislative session to relay their concerns and suggestions about the budget deficit and Minnesota’s lagging economy. Norton can be reached by phone at (651) 296-9249 or by email at rep.kim.norton@house.mn.
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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