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State Representative Joyce Peppin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7806
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
NEWS COLUMN
A Look Ahead to the 2012 Legislative Session
Dear Friends,
The 2012 legislative session convened on Tuesday on a note of economic optimism with a projected state surplus of $876 million. I, along with my Republican colleagues, renewed our commitment to the state’s economy as part of Reform 2.0. We issued a slate of initiatives designed to restore economic confidence, grow the private sector, reform education and health care, and reduce the size and cost of government.
In this update, I will discuss reforms associated to:
1. Jobs and the Economy
2. Education
3. Health Care
4. Government
1. Jobs and the Economy
In 2011, the Republican-led legislature balanced an historic $5.3 billion deficit without raising taxes. The most recent state budget forecast shows an $876 million surplus, enhancing the focus on reform and setting up a 2012 legislative session that will prioritize future budget stability and growth in the private economy.
Our Reform 2.0 jobs agenda will expand economic freedom through the removal of red tape, excessive commercial taxation, and obstructive barriers that inhibit job growth and entrepreneurial innovation.
One such initiative would exclude the first $100,000 in business property value from statewide property tax. As it stands right now, every business – small, medium, and large – pays property taxes to the state. Make no mistake, these taxes are simply passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.
In 2012, job providers are projected to pay $777 million to the state. Through an exclusion of the first $100,000 of business property value, each and every business, but particularly small business owners will experience immediate relief from this burdensome tax. Businesses will witness, on average, an 8% reduction in their statewide business property tax burden through this exclusion.
When we allow our local businesses the freedom to take risks and add jobs, we increase the overall quality of life for Minnesotans.
2. Education
Strong economies are dependent on a high quality workforce, and this starts with our education system. Now is the time to reform and innovate.
The education initiatives in Reform 2.0 are designed to close the achievement gap and rectify failing schools. We will push for an aggressive replication of high performing charter schools and put parents in the driving seat for their child's education with opportunity scholarships for school choice.
We will also remove barriers to recruiting and retaining the best teachers. One proposal removes statutory “Last In, First Out” policies. Under this proposal, layoffs would be based on individual teacher effectiveness ratings as outlined in a new Teacher Evaluation and Appraisal System, instead of being based strictly on seniority.
3. Health Care
Health care is a large part of our state budget and an important concern for Minnesota families. Our reforms are designed to reduce costs, reform welfare, and put people – not government – in charge of their health care decisions.
Last session I authored House File 304, a bill to combat Medicaid fraud. It would require the Department of Human Services to issue a request for Medicaid fraud detection and business intelligence contract proposals.
4. Government
As chair of the Government Operations and Elections Committee and author of several reform initiatives, I look forward to instituting much-needed structural change to government that not only saves taxpayers money, but also promotes free market job growth.
The initiatives contained in Reform 2.0 will begin to streamline government and its outdated, rigid public systems and entrenched bureaucracy. Our goal is to curb and reduce the growth of government while at the same time guaranteeing efficiency, accessibility, and a better delivery of services.
Throughout the 2012 legislative session, I encourage you to contact me with any of your questions or concerns. Together, we can create the solutions our state needs and craft the responsible government you deserve.
Sincerely,
Joyce
News Items
- PEPPIN REPORT: FORECAST SHOWS THIRD CONSECUTIVE STATE SURPLUS - (Posted: 2012-12-06 00:00:00)
- A Look Ahead to the 2012 Legislative Session - (Posted: 2012-01-26 00:00:00)
- A Call to Caucus - (Posted: 2012-02-04 00:00:00)
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