To the Editor of the Grand Rapids Herald-Review:
Last week a resident wrote a letter to the Herald-Review chock-full of dishonest, partisan rhetoric about the new rules adopted last month by the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Contrary to the author’s claims, changes to the House rules make it easier for Minnesotans to stay informed about legislation being discussed at the Capitol.
Instead of focusing on ways to score political points and dwelling on the House rules, I think it’s more important we talk about what the Legislature is doing to strengthen northern Minnesota’s economy so that our future generations and families have good jobs.
Over the past ten years, perpetual budget deficits have caused instability for funding everything from Local Government Aid to K-12 and higher education. When we slip from the top 10 to 22nd in K-12 funding and allow tuition at Itasca Community College to more than double, we risk losing our competitive edge in an increasingly global economy.
Our top priority this session is passing a fair, honest budget that invests in priorities like education and puts an end to the gimmicks and funding shifts we’ve seen over the past decade. That budget will require cooperation between the competing political ideologies.
Already, we’ve expanded health care coverage to 35,000 previously uninsured low-income Minnesotans and passed legislation to establish a health insurance marketplace that drives down costs by increasing competition and offering tax credits to qualifying individuals, families, and small businesses.
Northern Minnesotans should be pleased to know that DFL majorities are putting people first. We’re excited to put Minnesota’s fiscal house on sound footing and make the kind of smart investments that will grow our economy and set our state up to thrive for years to come.
As the legislative session continues, please contact me with your questions, comments, and ideas. You can reach me by phone at (651) 296-4936, by email at rep.tom.anzelc@house.mn, or by postal mail at 517 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
Sincerely,
Tom Anzelc
State Representative, District 5B