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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
Survey Results On A Legislative 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
June 1, 2007
Dear Editor,
During the 85th Legislative Session I surveyed the people of this district about issues important to our community and state. I would like to take the opportunity to share some of the results and tell you about what happened on each issue.
You listed the top three priorities for 2007 as lowering health care costs and increasing coverage, more K-12 education funding, and a significant investment in roads and transit. For the first time since 1999, the legislative budget session ended on time, delivering on a number of Minnesota's priorities with additional health coverage for more Minnesotans and stabilized education funding after years of underfunding.
On the subject of property taxes, 67 percent of you said state aid should be restored to cities and counties to make them less dependent on property taxes. I voted for a significant property tax relief package that would have benefited 90% of Minnesotans, including an expanded property tax refund program for homeowners, but unfortunately, the governor vetoed this. Then I voted for local government aid to our communities, and he vetoed that.
Another issue of community concern you highlighted was transportation; 66 percent asked the Legislature to focus on transit needs such as light rail, buses and commuter trains. Also 80 percent of you supported a gas tax increase if it meant better roads, faster commutes, and more transit options. The DFL-led House and Senate passed a balanced, fiscally responsible transportation bill that was summarily vetoed by the Governor and failed an override vote even after we compromised to a nickel gas tax increase.
The Governor's refusal to engage in negotiations in a bipartisan manner cost the legislative process time and energy, and yet important advances were made. We passed a nation-leading renewable energy standard which 61 percent of you supported, requiring that one-fifth of Minnesota's electricity come from renewable resources by 2020. We delivered sustainable increases in K-12 schools, including funding more of our obligations for special education costs, and supported cutting rising tuition in our state colleges and universities. Early childhood education/Preschool was identified by 45 percent of you as your top funding priority in education. I served 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. We returned these programs to funding levels before the 2003 cuts.
We must continue important initiatives in education, health care, property tax relief, and transportation. While it’s impossible to undo the previous eight years of cuts and neglect to our communities in just one year, we did make some important strides to turn the tide for Minnesota’s future. I intend to continue working on these important issues and others and appreciate your input and ideas. I want to thank you for the opportunity to represent the interests of our community at the Capitol.
State Rep. Carolyn Laine
District 50A
(DFL-Columbia Heights)
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