Dear Neighbors,
It was another busy week down at the State Capitol, with the second policy bill deadline for committees today. I wanted to share with you some of the highlights from the week.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID
Since the budget deficits of the early 2000s, Local Government Aid unfortunately has been one of the top targets when Republicans have been in charge. LGA is distributed to cities on a need-based formula according to a community’s size, enabling them to make investments in public safety, city streets, parks, and other purposes while allowing property taxes to remain low.
Since 2003, the two biggest net-losers under Republican LGA changes have been Biwabik and Hibbing. Leaders from these cities have worked very hard to innovate, collaborate, and find efficiencies, but have also had to make the tough decision to raise local tax levies in order to provide necessary, basic city services. This week, I presented a bill to the Property Tax Committee to adjust LGA amounts for these communities to bring them closer in line with the 2003 amounts. Joining me to present the bill were Jeff Jacobson, Biwabik City Administrator (center) and Pat Garrity, Hibbing City Clerk (right).
IRRRB Survey
I was pleased that so many constituents answered my call for input regarding proposed changes to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. Before making such major changes, legislators need to hear local input, and I hope this will influence their decision making.
Here are the results:
Q1: Should IRRRB's expenditures be subjected to review by the Legislature, including grants to communities and schools?
Yes: 22.24%, 151
No: 77.76%, 528
Q2: Should citizens appointed solely by a future Governor serve on the IRRRB rather than local elected officials?
Yes: 12.37%, 84
No: 87.63%. 595
Q3: Should areas that receive taconite taxes which have no mines or taconite plants in turn share a portion of their commercial and industrial property tax growth with taconite producing areas?
Yes: 71.75%, 480
No: 28.25%, 189
HIGH SCHOOL PAGE
This week Lauren Berlin, a constituent and student at South Ridge High in Culver was down at the State Capitol as part of the House High School Page Program. The House High School Page Program is a one of a kind educational opportunity for Minnesota students to be up close and personal with their state government. Students in the program have the ability to experience the legislative process firsthand by assisting members during House Floor sessions.
Other highlights included in each student's week at the Capitol are individual meetings with legislators designed to allow students to discuss the issues that matter most to them. They also participate in a mock committee session designed to develop their leadership skills and to inspire them to think critically about the issues confronting our state. Throughout the week, students have the chance to meet with constitutional officers, judges and court officers, lobbyists, and members of the media.
Some colleagues and I got to have lunch with her yesterday, and I was excited to hear she wants to go into nursing. I look forward to supporting her in any way I can, and I hope other students can come down and experience the page program as well. High school juniors can apply in the fall for the following year’s legislative session. For more information, visit the Minnesota House High School Page program online.
Today, Gov. Dayton will be releasing his supplemental budget, and next week, the Republican Majority in the House is expected to announce their own budget parameters. With policy bill deadlines now behind us (the second of which is today), focus will now shift to crafting the two-year state budget. Please keep in touch with input on the issues important to you and your family. I hope you won’t hesitate to write or call with whatever’s on your mind.
Sincerely,
Jason Metsa
State Representative