1. Knowing the Legislature must balance the budget and this will require us as Minnesotans and Duluthians to make choices, please rank from 1-7 (1 being most important and 7 being least important) which areas you think the Legislature's top priorities should be in the 2010 Legislative Session?
Balancing the budget
Passing a job creation package, including a bonding bill
K-12 education
Health care reform
Public safety & consumer protection
Higher Education
Other: (please specify)  

2. Minnesota has lost over 130,000 jobs during this recession. Which of the following options do you support to grow new jobs in Minnesota? (Check all that apply)
Make targeted capital investments in the state's aging infrastructure
Provide tax incentives for businesses that hire and retain workers
Invest in renewable energy industries to bring green jobs to Minnesota
Support research and development at colleges and universities
Enact new tax incentives for corporations
Pass new reforms to help small businesses hire and retain more workers
Nothing - let the market take its course
Other: (please specify)  

3. Minnesota is facing a $1.2 billion budget deficit brought on by the nationwide economic recession. In addition, due to a recent court ruling the Legislature will also likely need to account for the $2.7B unalloted by the Governor last summer. The state constitution requires that lawmakers resolve this shortfall before the end of the legislative session. Which solutions would you support to balance the budget?
Cut programs - If so, which?
Raise taxes - If so, which?
Fee increases - If so, which?
Combination of tax increases, budget cuts, and fee increases
Allow the Governor to unallot
Other: (please specify)  

4. Should the Great Lakes Aquarium be made a part of the University of Minnesota Duluth?
Yes
No
Not sure

5. Last session General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) was eliminated, cutting hospital funding more than $380 million and eliminating medical care for 30,000 of the poorest and sickest Minnesotans. This cut alone has eliminated $20 million in funding for Duluth area hospitals. Should the Legislature act early in the 2010 Session to reinstate GAMC funding?
Yes
No
Not sure

6. As a regional center, the City of Duluth provides a number of services that benefit residents throughout the region; services paid for primarily by Duluth residents. Should state laws and rules be changed to allow regional centers like Duluth to charge non-city residents for some city services?
Yes
No
Not sure

7. Should the state provide funding for Duluth sewage system upgrades to prevent sanitary sewage overflow into Lake Superior?
Yes
No
Not sure

8. Should the state provide bonding dollars to match federal funding for phase II of the Duluth International Airport expansion?
Yes
No
Not sure

9. Do you support building a passenger rail line between Duluth and the Twin Cities?
Yes
No
Not sure

10. Other comments or questions:

* Required to designate constituent responses.