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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
GOVERNOR PAWLENTY RELEASES BUDGET PLAN
Governor Pawlenty’s budget proposal is a starting point for Minnesota lawmakers as we begin the work of resolving the state’s $4.8 billion budget deficit. The governor’s plan indicates just how difficult the work ahead will be.
I am encouraged to see Governor Pawlenty has shown such a strong commitment to K-12 Education. It is critical that our students don’t bear the brunt of this budget deficit. I will be working with the governor to ensure all Minnesota students have equal access to a world-class education - despite the challenges we now face.
Still, I am concerned with several areas of the governor’s budget proposal. First, it is troubling to see that the governor’s budget would eliminate health care for more than 100,000 Minnesotans. This is a big step backward in our ongoing efforts to reform Minnesota’s health care system.
I am also disappointed that Governor Pawlenty plans to eliminate $8.1 million in Local Government Aid for the City of Rochester over the next two years. Passing the state’s deficit on to local governments is not a responsible, long-term solution to the problems we face.
Looking forward, we need to craft solutions that will resolve the looming shortfall responsibly. Working together with a commitment to bipartisanship, we can meet this crisis with meaningful resolutions that will make our state stronger than it was before.
Our budget reflects our values as a state. In the work ahead, we need to remember that. We must always be mindful of the long-term impacts the decisions we make today. Looking out for our most vulnerable citizens has never been more important.
The Legislature will be taking the governor’s budget proposal on the road to discuss it in detail with the public. I look forward to working with the citizens of Rochester and the people of Minnesota in the weeks and months to come as we work to make the best decisions for our future.
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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