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Legislative Survey for
Representative Doug Wardlow (R) 38B


Dear Neighbors,

The 2010 Legislative Session began on February 4. As before, I need your input to help me make the best decisions for Eagan and Minnesota’s future.

The highest unemployment rates in three decades and a steep drop in wages have created another wide gap in the state budget. Like you, I know that government can’t solve all our problems. But there are things we can do to stimulate our job market, create a better business climate and lay the groundwork for a sustained recovery.

We’ve already passed a jobs-focused bonding bill that will put thousands of Minnesotans back to work, and introduced legislation to help small businesses expand and innovate will pave the way for more. While we can’t get every out-of-work individual back on the job, the private and public sector jobs we do create will get people spending, give Minnesota businesses a boost, maintain our infrastructure, and help push our economy in the right direction.

My highest priority as your legislator is creating a stronger Minnesota, and to set responsible priorities that help us create jobs and lay the groundwork for a firmer financial footing for our state.

Thank you for taking the time to complete my survey. Please contact me with any questions or if I can be of assistance to you or your family.

Warm regards,
Mike

Mike Obermueller
State Representative
District 38B

1. What should the Legislature’s top priorities be in the 2010 Legislative Session? (Rank 1-7)
Passing a job creation package, including a bonding bill
Balancing the budget
K-12 education
Property tax relief
Keep college tuition affordable
Public safety & consumer protection
Other (Please Specify):  

2. Over the last year, have you experienced any of the following? (Check all that apply)
Loss of a job
Loss of a home
Loss of health insurance
Wage cut or freeze
Hours cut
Other financial crisis

3. Recently I was appointed to the bipartisan legislative Jobs Task Force. We have met with business leaders, economic experts and labor representatives to discuss solutions to speed the state’s economic recovery. 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 breaks for corporations
Nothing – let the market take its course
Other (Please Specify):  

4. As a member of the bipartisan Small Business Caucus, I have been working with small business owners in our community and across the state to more clearly define the challenges and opportunities facing Minnesota’s small businesses. Which of the following options do you support to help make the state’s business climate more competitive? (Check all that apply)
Do a better job connecting small business owners with existing state resources
Help provide low-interest loans for small business expansion and entrepreneurs
Develop a statewide small business health insurance pool to lower costly premiums
Reduce and revise state business regulations
Cut taxes on small businesses
Provide small business tax credits for long-term investment
Improve workforce training efforts and continue our investment in higher education
Other (Please Specify):  

Do you own a small business?
Yes
No

5. Due to the economy, the state is facing $994 millio budget deficit this session and a projected $5.6 billion revenue shortfall in the budget years 2012-13. What should the Legislature do to balance the budget?
Cut programs
Raise taxes
Combination of budget cuts and tax increases
Operate government differently
Allow the Governor to unallot
Other (Please Specify):  

6. If you selected cutting programs or raising taxes, please specify which taxes you would increase and/or which programs you would cut.

7. Do you support providing state funding to build a new Vikings Stadium?
Yes
No
Not sure

8. Do you support expanding gambling to pay for a stadium or other budget items?
Yes, for a stadium
Yes, for other budget items
No
Not sure

9. Do your support lifting the state’s moratorium on the construction of new nuclear power plants?
Yes
No
Not sure

10. Other comments or questions:

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