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State Representative Jerry Newton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5369
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Column/LTE
THE GOVERNOR'S MISPLACED PRIORITIES
To the Editor:
As Minnesota faces historic economic challenges, state lawmakers need to set clear priorities. With limited state resources, we have to make certain Minnesotans are getting the highest possible benefit for their tax dollar.
That’s why the Minnesota Legislature carefully crafted a jobs-targeted bonding bill (HF2700) early in the legislative session. Passed with bipartisan support in both bodies, the bill was capable of putting tens of thousands of Minnesotans back to work. And with record low interest rates and construction bids coming in 20 to 30 percent lower than normal, we did it at a much lower cost to Minnesota taxpayers.
But Governor Pawlenty’s line-item veto pen stripped $319 million from the bill – most from state colleges and universities. In fact, the Governor cut $6 million in classroom infrastructure projects at Anoka Ramsey Community College alone – projects that would have created an estimated 400 local construction jobs building more learning space for our students.
If that wasn’t enough, the Governor eliminated $750,000 to make needed structural repairs to the aging Coon Rapids Dam. Cutting critical repair funding for the Coon Rapids Dam may damage recreational pools above and below the dam. What’s worse, it could threaten the Mississippi River’s last surviving barrier protecting our northern waters from the destructive invasion of Asian Carp.
Why the Governor put volleyball courts and zoos ahead of the state’s most basic infrastructure needs defies all common sense. His misplaced priorities will again leave a long-term, negative impact on our community.
Jerry Newton
State Representative
District 49B
(651) 296-5369
rep.jerry.newton@house.mn
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