The 2013 legislative session has concluded, and I am proud of our good results for Minnesota.
A balanced budget
We achieved our goal of balancing the budget in a way that makes it stable for at least four years out, something that has not been done for well over a decade. We faced the need to raise revenue and did so transparently, with no accounting shifts or gimmicks.
As Gov. Dayton has promised for several years, we asked the wealthiest 2 percent to pay their fair share in their overall taxes. This, along with closing corporate tax loopholes and increasing the cigarette tax, allowed us to erase a $627 million deficit and invest in education, jobs, and property tax relief.
World-class educational system
A world-class education system is the gateway to a world-class economy. So we made an historic $485 million investment in our children’s future while implementing reforms to be sure we get the most value out of every dollar. Every school will soon have all-day kindergarten, and early learning scholarships were expanded. These are two tools proven to prepare students for future academic success. Supporting good brain development in the first years of life has long been a focus of mine. Also, we’ll keep our promise to pay back the school shift within a year.
College tuition will be frozen for two years for students at the U of M and the MnSCU colleges. The State Grant Program has significant new resources for tuition assistance and now will also provide access to educational opportunities for part-time students. We have reversed the trend of skyrocketing tuition and crushing debt that made higher education increasingly unattainable.
Property tax relief
We made a commitment to Minnesotans to reverse a decade-long trend of shifting taxes from income taxes to property taxes. Since 2000, property taxes have increased 86%. We provide $400 million in direct property tax relief to nearly a million Minnesotans through revamping the Homestead Credit Refund, expanding the renters’ credit, and increasing funds to cities, counties, and school districts.
Jobs and economic development
Creating jobs was one of our top priorities. We invested in economic development through providing grants for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and incentives for out-of-state companies to come to Minnesota, encouraging businesses to hire new employees or make capital investments, supporting our businesses in developing foreign markets, and developing our workforce. We provided one of the biggest tax cuts in state history for small businesses by reducing their Unemployment Insurance taxes.
Civil law – marriage equality
We passed what some consider the civil rights legislation of our times, marriage equality. Minnesotans believe that marriage is a unique promise of love, commitment, and responsibility between two people. Many of us feel this applies quite equally to same-sex couples; their love and commitment deserves equal treatment under the law. We included in this legislation the strongest religious protections in the country, leaving the choice to each religious organization.
Health and safety
Everyone in Minnesota relies on clean drinking water; protecting this is a top priority. We strengthened the DNR’s ability to monitor groundwater and surface water supplies to address shortages. The harmful chemicals BPA and formaldehyde were banned from children’s products. My bill was passed to increase awareness about the dangers of radon in our homes.
Elections
Election reforms were developed using a respectful, bipartisan approach. I served on this committee and am glad we made common-sense reforms such a no-excuses absentee voting to help maintain our proud tradition of nation-leading voter turnout. My work on electronic rosters will help start our development of more efficient elections with e-poll books.
Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution
I am proud of my legislation to create this Office for a different approach to problem-solving. Grants will be provided for community mediation across the state, saving cities and counties money by reducing reliance on courts and law enforcement. The Office will also provide leadership in solving major policy issues by assisting those involved to collaboratively find an enduring and effective solution.
Support services
I serve on the Health and Human Services committee, where about a third of the state budget targets quality care for our seniors, children, and Minnesotans with disabilities. Those who work in nursing homes, caring for many of these, finally got a 5% wage increase, the first in years. We also cut $50 million in our budget through targeted cuts, reforms, and reprioritization.
I had several bills in this area that passed, including providing services for newborns who are born deaf or hard of hearing. With these services, their language development can be normal. Another of my bills increases the number of statewide grants for school-linked mental health services. Still another successful bill addresses homelessness, including homeless youth.
A disappointment for me was the last minute loss of re-establishing a cap on the excess reserves of our corporate HMOs, a part of the health care reforms I have sought for years; I will persist.
Food shelves
I am delighted to have achieved additional funding for Minnesota food shelves in this time of great need. SACA is our food shelf located in Columbia Heights. Five months ago I was asked to help stabilize a difficult situation at SACA. I enlisted five community leaders to join the board of directors and contribute their talents, and I got SACA back in good standing with the state and federal food groups. I end this newsletter with a request that you consider donating to SACA to help it get back on its feet. Together, we can build a stronger food shelf with more service options such as financial literacy training and job search support. It’s our community!
SACA Food Shelf
627 38th Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
(Your contribution will be matched by a challenge grant from “Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless!”)