Dear Friends,
Committee assignments were released this week, and I'm pleased to announce that I will be serving on four committees for the 2015-2016 legislative session. I will continue serving as a member of the Education Finance Committee and the Property Tax and Local Government Finance Division, and will serve on two new committees: the Mining and Outdoor Recreation Policy Committee, and the Public Safety & Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee.
I'm looking forward to continuing my past work on the Education Finance and Property Tax Committees by working to improve our education system for Minnesota students and by working to curb property tax increases for families, attributable to local spending and budgets adopted by cities, townships, school districts and county governments. While local governments are ultimately responsible for nearly all of your local property tax levels, the state does have a role to play in encouraging fiscal restraint and giving local governments the tools to streamline services and save money in other places to keep your property tax bill affordable.
As session approaches, I hope you will contact me with any thoughts, concerns, or suggestions you have. You can reach my office by phone at 651-296-9188, or by email at rep.jerry.hertaus@house.mn.
Lastly, I wanted to wish everyone a joy-filled Christmas and Chanukah season. May you have a safe and enjoyable Holiday season filled with good food and family as we look ahead to the New Year.
Best wishes,
Jerry Hertaus
State Representative, District 33A