Dear neighbors,
The 2015 legislative session began this week, and I wanted to update you on recent developments leading up to the start of the legislature's work in St. Paul. During the month of December there were several positive developments that continue to show Minnesota’s economy is growing stronger. You’ll find more information about the forecasted budget surplus, positive employment numbers, and my new 2015-2016 committee assignment below.
Early in December, Minnesota Management and Budget released the forecasted budget surplus of $1.017 billion for fiscal years 2016-17. These budget numbers were received positively by legislators, as Minnesota’s economy continues to strengthen. New employment numbers released later in December by the Department of Employment and Economic Development show that Minnesota employers hired another 6,600 workers in the month of November, lowering the state unemployment rate yet again to 3.7%, over 2% lower than the national average of 5.8%.
In these positive budget and jobs numbers I did note some opportunities for improvement, such as the need for increased income growth. However, I hope the positive economic news will create an environment for bipartisan agreement on some of the critical issues that are facing the legislature. One of those issues will be the need for a comprehensive transportation bill to improve infrastructure throughout the state.
One of the many things I often hear from community members in Crystal, New Hope, and Plymouth is that they want us to find a way to finance infrastructure improvements in a timely and equitable manner. It’s important for our continued growth and success that we have a cohesive transportation network that includes improved roads and bridges and commuter infrastructure. Finding a solution for the backlog of transportation needs will be a priority this year.
Education will be another top priority for legislators. DFL members of the House will continue to advance early childhood and K-12 education funding and college affordability initiatives that began during the last legislative session. I’m hopeful that positive budget news will allow Minnesota to continue the undergraduate tuition freeze until 2017.
Keeping tuition low at public colleges and universities is one more tool we have to help working families budget for the long term and get the best education for students. It is my hope that college affordability will continue to be a priority for other legislators, because I know it was a priority for many of the parents and students living in our community.
We also made huge strides supporting our youngest learners in the last two years. Funding was provided for targeted scholarships for 3-5 year olds who needed the most help catching up, but there is still more we can do to help families get their children ready for kindergarten and reduce the achievement gap in Minnesota. The facts show that resources used to improve the quality of education in these early years pay for themselves many times over by improving outcomes and reducing the help students need in later years.
I start the 2015 session with new committee assignments. I have been appointed as the DFL lead of the House Ways and Means committee, and will also serve on the Tax committee and the State Government Finance committee.
This year, I am positive about what we can accomplish. Minnesota businesses and workers have done so much to position our state for success, and we can’t let them down. I’m looking forward to working together to find solutions for these and other issues that are important to our district and our state.
I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions, or need assistance on any legislative issue. My new office contact information can be found on the side banner of this email.
Sincerely,
Lyndon Carlson
State Representative