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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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ON FIRST DAY REP. KIM NORTON GETS TO WORK ON JOBS, GAMC
ST. PAUL, MN – On the first day of the 2010 Legislative Session, state Rep. Kim Norton (DFL – Rochester) and the Minnesota House didn’t waste any time getting to work rolling out a jobs bill and beginning work on a fix for GAMC enrollees – Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens. A House bonding proposal unveiled this morning would direct $35 million to shovel-ready Rochester-area infrastructure projects; and at a Health and Human Services hearing this afternoon Rep. Norton began the work to restore General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) in Minnesota.
“The problems facing Minnesotans are serious, and they are urgent," said Rep. Norton. “Throughout the legislative interim I have been working with Republicans and Democrats preparing for this session so we could hit the ground running on day one. With so much at stake this session, we simply can’t afford to drag our feet.”
The House bonding bill invests strategically in regional economies like Rochester. After touring the state identifying shovel-ready, worthy project proposals, the House Capital Investment Committee included several major area projects in this year’s bonding package. Those projects include:
• $28 million for the Mayo Civic Center expansion
• $3.2 million to complete the Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) Workforce Center co-location
• $4 million for Phase II of the Rochester National Volleyball Center
“I’m pleased to see Rochester well-represented in the House bonding bill,” said Rep. Norton. “These projects, and projects just like them in communities across Minnesota, will do more than build and repair our state’s infrastructure and give a boost to our economy.”
“According to conservative estimates, this bill will create as many as 8 to 10 thousand jobs. By introducing this bill on the first day of session, and moving it quickly through the legislative process, we can get people back on the job even sooner. That’s why it is so crucial that we act quickly this session to responsibly address the economic challenges Minnesota faces.”
This year’s capital investment legislation is a signature piece of an overall jobs agenda being ushered quickly through the Minnesota House. HF2700 will be heard in the House Capital Investment Committee next Tuesday, February 9 and will be sent to the House floor for a full vote within the next two weeks.
In addition to rolling out a bonding proposal, House lawmakers took the first steps today toward restoring Minnesota’s GAMC program. Hundreds of Minnesotans from every corner of the state filled the Capitol Rotunda this morning as a prelude to a Health and Human Services committee hearing to discuss a proposed solution that would reverse the impact of Governor Pawlenty’s line-item veto on the state’s already cash-strapped hospitals and Minnesota’s lowest income and sickest citizens – those making less than $8,000 per year.
“The elimination of GAMC did more than cut health care for 35,000 of Minnesota’s poorest, sickest citizens,” said Norton. “It also eliminated $23 million from Rochester area hospitals. For the sake of local jobs, and for the health of our community, I’m going to do everything I can this session to find a workable solution that will restore this program and return needed resources to our local hospitals.”
The 2010 Legislative Session is well-underway. Rep. Norton strongly encourages all Rochester residents to contact her throughout the session with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. 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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