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State Representative Carolyn Laine
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4331
For more information contact: Joan Nichols 651-29X-XXXX
Column/LTE
End of Session
State Rep. Carolyn Laine
Minnesota House of Representatives Contact: Joan Nichols
District 50A (651) 296-4331 (651) 296-8891
407 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 Joan.Nichols@house.mn
Dear Editor:
Session Accomplishments
During this Legislative Session we were fully engaged in making Minnesota's priorities a reality in our communities. I worked on two education committees to help Columbia Heights, Fridley, and St. Anthony benefit from stabilized education resources, including early childhood funding for All-Day Kindergarten, Head Start, School Readiness, and ECFE. I authored a bill to help fund the Northstar train station in Fridley (contingent on the Governor's signature); and we covered more kids with health insurance, expanded public safety initiatives, and initiated forward-thinking environmental and energy programs with the boldest Renewable Energy Standard (RES) in the nation.
Session Disappointments
When the DFL majority promised bipartisan work, we meant it. With our focus on the common good, we tend to be natural collaborators and, in general, that's the process by which we prefer to govern. Too often, the GOP minority worked to delay and impede the legislative process, knowing the Governor held the veto pen. I was disappointed by the end runs and vetoes that harmed good initiatives such as the statewide plan for serious property tax relief, the transportation bill for our roads and transit, and, closer to home, funding to protect and renew the Springbrook Nature Center.
Plans and Goals
The 85th Legislative Session took important steps to get Minnesota on track with issues that impact us all.
We must give our cities and communities necessary resources, and we must continue important initiatives in education, health care, property tax relief and transportation. While it's impossible to undo eight years of undercutting programs in just one year, we made strides to turn the tide for Minnesota's future. As a Legislator, I intend to continue working for these areas next session, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the issues and concerns of my constituents.
News Items
- Rep. Laine Introduces Bill to Increase HMO Transparency - (Posted: 2012-02-13 00:00:00)
- New Law Gives Minnesotans a Natural Choice for Care of Deceased - (Posted: 2010-04-22 00:00:00)
- PROGRESS MADE IN 2009 SESSION, BUT MUCH MORE WORK AHEAD - (Posted: 2009-06-03 00:00:00)
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