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Rep. Sheldon Johnson - E-Update - January 25, 2013

Friday, January 25, 2013

Dear neighbors,

Now that I’ve had a few days to closely examine the governor’s proposed budget, I have to give Mark Dayton credit. He said it was going to be a dramatic departure from previous budgets, and he wasn’t kidding.

The governor issued a courageous, ambitious plan to return Minnesota to financial stability. He makes the necessary investments in education, infrastructure and programs necessary to create good, livable wage jobs. It makes long-overdue changes in our antiquated tax code, cuts our overall sales tax rate while expanding it to bring in much-needed revenue. It creates a fourth tax bracket that asks the wealthiest 2% of Minnesotans to pay the same share in taxes as other Minnesotans. And it offers direct property tax relief to Minnesota homeowners. More money in the pockets of middle class homeowners will drive job creation and economic growth across the state.

Saint Paulites should be very pleased with the budget. The governor is proposes a new Local Government Aid formula and allocates an additional $80 million into the fund. The new formula is very good for the city of Saint Paul. This would mean an additional $9 million of LGA in 2014 and an additional $10 million spread out from 2014-2018. This means lower property taxes and restored city services.

The governor's budget also factored in $500 million in debt service. That means that more projects can be considered for bonding. And Saint Paul has a long list of projects waiting in line: $14 million for the Children's Museum, $7 million for Como Park transportation upgrades, $9 million for TPT renovations, $6.5 million for the Regional Public Safety Building, $1.4 for the Watergate Marina and $2.1 million for a seals and sea lions exhibit at Como Zoo.

Last November, Minnesotans sent a strong message. They want expanded economic opportunities for our families and businesses. They want a balanced budget without tricks and gimmicks. They want a world-class education system that will grow our state’s economy. They want us to put an end to years of borrowing billions from our schools and making massive cuts to higher education. This budget is a big step in that direction.

Now it’s the Legislature’s turn to have its say. DFL lawmakers know what we have to do. And I am willing to listen of all suggestions. Good ideas have no party affiliation; they are neither DFL nor Republican. I’m ready to get to work.

Please feel free to contact me with your questions, suggestions and concerns. My office is room 549 in the State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4201 and by email at rep.sheldon.johnson@house.mn. You can also monitor activities at the House, track bills, watch live video and sign up for my email update list by going to http://www.house.mn.

Sheldon Johnson