To the editor:
As the first month of the 2013-2014 legislative session winds down, I want to give you a short update on what’s happened so far and what we can expect to happen over the next several weeks.
The issue currently receiving the lion’s share of attention is Governor Mark Dayton’s budget and tax reform proposals. As a retired educator who taught in the public school system for 30 years, I am pleased that the Governor decided to make substantial investments in our children’s education.
For years, growing class sizes and cuts to education programs have resulted in lost learning opportunities for our students. Billions of dollars irresponsibly borrowed from our schools to balance previous budgets forced additional costs onto school districts. Governor Dayton’s proposal to invest in our children is a refreshing approach compared to what took place over the past decade.
I am also pleased that Governor Dayton’s proposal addresses ever-increasing property tax rates. Cuts to Local Government Aid (LGA) throughout the past decade forced cities and towns to make up the difference. Homeowners got stuck with footing a larger bill to maintain critical services like firefighters and police officers. I believe property tax relief for Minnesota homeowners is long overdue. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to get the job done.
Over the coming days and months, I will examine Governor Dayton’s proposals in greater detail, but most importantly, I want to hear what you think. Your feedback important to me, so please get in touch by phone at (651) 296-0171, by email at rep.david.bly@house.mn, or by postal mail at 559 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Minnesota faces big challenges, but I am confident that we can work together to move our state forward by creating jobs, investing in our children’s education, and balancing the budget in a way that is fair and responsible.
Sincerely,
David Bly
State Representative, District 20B