Accessibility menu
State Representative Jerry Newton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5369
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
A GUY WITH GOOD IDEAS
ST. PAUL, MN – Anyone who knows Jerry Newton knows he has a lot of good ideas – not to mention the energy it takes to make those ideas come to fruition. That’s why it should come as no surprise that in his first term Rep. Newton (DFL – Coon Rapids) has already introduced 26 bills, and co-authored another 146.
“After decades serving my community in nonprofit organizations and local units of government, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t," said Rep. Newton. “I really feel the voters of District 49B gave me a tremendous opportunity to help make our state work better.
“Based on my experiences as a veteran, small business owner, school board member, and city councilor, I came to the Legislature ready to put 20 years of good ideas to work here at the State Capitol.”
And that’s exactly what Jerry has done.
Each of the bills Rep. Newton has introduced focuses on building a nation-leading K-12 education system, simplifying the relationship between state and local governments, improving the lives of Minnesota veterans, and caring for the elderly and disabled.
Seven of Newton’s bills have already become law, including:
• HF2051 – School integration revenue provisions modified
• HF1356 – Free public transit use provided for disabled veterans and active service members
• HF0715 – Disabled veteran owned businesses designated as targeted group businesses for state contracts
• HF2674 – Veterans of Foreign Wars Day designated as May 28
• HF1848 – Lifetime angling and spearing licenses established
• HF1576 – K-12 schools water ecology pilot project
• HF1701 – School district obligations clarified to children with disabilities
Other legislation Newton has authored includes:
• HF1028 – Widen U.S. Highway 10 between Hanson Blvd. and Round Lake Blvd.
• HF3063 – School district authorized to renew an expiring referendum by action of the school board
• HF2867 – Child with a disability definition clarified and obligations to children with disabilities specified
• HF2861 – Minnesota property tax credit benefits modified for disabled veterans and surviving spouses
• HF2860 – Lease levy revenue amounts modified for certain school districts
• HF2671 – Veteran-owned small business bid preference program eligibility broadened
• HF2850 – School district additional flexibility provided
• HF2675 – American Legion Day designated as September 16 of each year
• HF2672 – Transit fee exemption provisions clarified for veterans with service-connected disabilities
• HF2670 – Unit owners’ association rights specified to encourage prompt payment of assessments
• HF2298 – Local governments provided additional financing of parks, trails, and recreational facilities
• HF2023 – Medical liability actions regulated
• HF1577 – Nursing homes and home care licensure requirements added
• HF1355 – Hazardous pupil transportation services levy authorized
• HF1176 – Health and safety education revenue program clarified
• HF0784 – State reimbursement increased for reduced price school lunch
• HF0670 – Compensatory revenue pilot project continued for certain school districts
• HF0609 – Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal license plate established
As his second year at the Capitol begins, Rep. Newton says that in addition to pursuing these important pieces of legislation, his highest priority is putting Minnesotans back to work.
“More than 4,000 families in Coon Rapids and Andover are struggling with the grim difficulty of unemployment during this long and difficult recession,” said Newton. “Those 4,000 families are at the forefront of every decision I make here at the Capitol. I’m committed to helping them get back to work.”
Early in the legislative session, Rep. Newton helped move a bipartisan jobs bill (HF2700) quickly through the Legislature that would put thousands of Minnesotans back to work rebuilding Minnesota’s infrastructure. Newton hopes that bonding bill will become law early in session so jobs can get underway when the ground thaws this spring.
In addition to the bonding bill, Newton is working on several other bipartisan jobs packages that will provide needed relief for small businesses, and train Minnesota’s workforce for success in a vastly different 21st Century economy.
“Minnesota is facing many challenges,” Newton said. “But none is more pressing than our lack of jobs. I’ll keep doing everything I can to pass bipartisan, common sense solutions for our economy – efforts that will put Minnesotans back on the job as quickly as possible.”
More information about the work Rep. Newton is doing at the Capitol can be found online at www.house.mn/49B.
News Items
- LOCAL LAWMAKERS HELP DELIVER NEEDED RELIEF TO FLOOD, TORNADO VICTIMS - (Posted: 2010-10-19 00:00:00)
- REP. NEWTON STANDS UP FOR SCHOOLS - (Posted: 2010-05-12 00:00:00)
- A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL KIDS TO PLAY - (Posted: 2010-04-21 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.