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State Representative Andrew Falk
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4228
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
NEWS COLUMN
Public involvement key to economic recovery
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
First, I am honored to be your elected State Representative for District 20A and humbled by the trust and responsibility you have placed in me. To help keep in contact with constituents, I have undertaken the challenge of writing a weekly column to highlight the issues that are being brought before the Legislature, with special emphasis on those I know are important to our rural district. My committee appointments are also a good reflection of our district. I will serve as vice chair of the Energy Finance and Policy Committee, and am also on the Agriculture, Rural Economies, and Veterans Affairs Finance Committee, Environment Policy and Oversight Committee, and the Game, Fish, and Forestry Division.
I’ll be the first to admit that when I decided to run for office, I did not anticipate our state would be facing such grave economic challenges, including a $4.8 billion deficit for the next biennium. Nearly 200,000 Minnesotans have lost their jobs, hundreds more have lost their homes, and rising prices are stretching the already tight family budget even more. Undoubtedly, the challenge of balancing the budget, creating jobs and stimulating economic recovery will be the primary focus of my first legislative session. One thing I know for sure – we can’t solve problems of this magnitude without being completely honest with the public; we can’t sugarcoat or spin our way out of this.
It seems to me there are three plausible alternatives: federal assistance, spending cuts, and new sources of revenue. All three will have a direct impact on Minnesotans. The struggles of average families must be at the forefront when these budget decisions are made. We have to make sure our decisions do not hurt our rural citizens – our children, seniors, or working families. I look forward to being a new voice at the table as we tackle this monumental challenge.
Above all, we need to bring the public into these discussions about our state’s future. I believe that when the public has a clear understanding of the problem, they are not only better able to accept some of the difficult decisions, they are also able to be part of the solution. In fact, the House of Representatives has created a webpage so citizens can have a say in how we confront Minnesota's projected budget deficit. Visit it at http://www.house.mn/ to share your ideas.
Once again, I cannot say it enough, thank you for this incredible opportunity you have given me. I am sincerely appreciative of the help and support I received, and I will do my best to represent all of you. Please feel free to contact me personally with your suggestions, as well. We are all in this together, and I look forward to hearing from you. You can reach me at 651-296-4228 or by email at rep.andrew.falk@house.mn.
News Items
- Budget Forecast: Major budget problems remain for 2014-15 Fiscal crisis in Washington creates uncertainty and concerns - (Posted: Dec 5 2012 12:00AM)
- Budget Forecast: Major budget problems remain for 2014-15 Fiscal crisis in Washington creates uncertainty and concerns - (Posted: 2012-12-05 00:00:00)
- 2012 SESSION WRAP UP - (Posted: 2012-07-05 00:00:00)
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