Kim Norton Legislative Update 3-26-09
03/28/2009
Dear Neighbors,
Over the last several months lawmakers have been traveling the state discussing the state’s record $6.4 billion budget deficit with Minnesotans, discussing what our communities can do together to resolve the real economic problems facing our state. Minnesotans overwhelmingly told us they want honest, long-term solutions that maintain our quality of life and protect our most vulnerable.
To meet this unprecedented challenge House DFLers released a budget plan last week that proposes significant cuts, new reforms and efficiencies, as well as modest revenues to achieve this – and we responsibly looked to the out years to balance the budget into the future. The budget protects our students by stabilizing education funding from pre-school to college. It also focuses on jobs by ensuring our cuts and investments protect and grow new jobs in Minnesota.
The people of Minnesota, and the people of Rochester, deserve nothing less than bold leadership, a balanced budget, and the confidence in knowing we’re working for a brighter future. But our future of our state is in the hands of all Minnesotans. For that reason, I encourage you to continue contacting me throughout the legislative session so we can resolve these problems together.
You can reach me by phone at (651) 296-9249 or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). I look forward to hearing from you.
Kim Norton
State Representative
District 29B
KIM’S BILLS
Statewide academic standards required for physical education – HF439
Bill will not be included in the Health Care Omnibus Policy Bill, but is still under consideration for the K-12 Finance Bill
Allowing public schools to begin classes before Labor Day – HF195
Laid over for possible inclusion in the K-12 Finance Bill
Waste-to-energy steam pipes to RCTC – HF023 & Rochester Volleyball Center – HF193
Awaiting decision from House Capital Investment Committee
Lifelong Learning Accounts Established – HF72
Scheduled for an information-only hearing in the House Taxes Committee
Licensure for Physicians Assistants created – SF230
Included in Licensing Omnibus Bill, passed in the Senate
Requiring insurance companies to cover treatment for autism spectrum disorders – HF359
Scheduled for a hearing in the Health Finance Committee
New Dental Therapist position established, graduate program at U of M Dental School – HF823
Included in the Licensing Omnibus Bill
Primary caries prevention/dental referral – HF823
Passed to the General Register, awaiting action on the House Floor
Enhanced accountability and transparency at DEED – HF1785
Passed with bipartisan support in House Bioscience and Workforce Development Committee, referred to Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee
You can find more information about bills I am working on online at http://www.house.mn/29B
TOOLS FOR JOB-SEEKERS
The unemployment rate in the City of Rochester is slightly better (6.9%) than the state average (8.1%). Still, nearly 4,000 Rochester citizens are without work. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) provides a variety of resources to help people find jobs:
- Minnesota Work Force Centers are free “one-stop shops” for job-seekers, providing everything from workshops on resume-writing and interviewing to job fairs and access to computers.
- http://www.MinnesotaWorks.net is a free job search Web site that allows job-seekers to post resumes and matches them with employers looking for workers.
- DEED’s Dislocated Worker Program helps employees who have been laid off return to the workforce as quickly as possible.
- The Unemployment Insurance Program provides temporary assistance to workers who have lost employment through no fault of their own.
For more information on these and other job-finding resources, visit http://www.PositivelyMinnesota.com or contact your local Minnesota Work Force Center at (888) GET-JOBS or (888) 438-5627.
STATE BUDGET FORECAST
Last month the Minnesota Office of Management and Budget released a revised state budget forecast showing state revenues have fallen an additional $1.1 billion since December. That puts the current deficit at $6.4 billion. With resources provided by the federal government bring the state’s share to $4.6 billion.
Find out more about the budget forecast online at http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/forecast
READ SESSION WEEKLY ONLINE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BUDGET
Looking for an explanation on the differences between progressive and regressive taxes? Are you interested in the budget proposals released this week to balance the 2010-2011 biennium, especially what could be cut and where the revenue might come from? Read these and other stories in this week’s Session Weekly now available online at http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessionweekly/
PROVIDE FURTHER INPUT FOR BUDGET SOLUTIONS
You can continue providing input for state budget solutions throughout the coming weeks. To do so, visit http://www.house.mn or contact me directly. Lawmakers need your advice and we value your input.
MINNESOTA’S 2009 TAX INCIDENCE STUDY
Last week the Minnesota Department of Revenue released its 2009 Tax Incidence Study detailing who pays state and local taxes in Minnesota, and how much. The study showed Minnesota’s low- and middle-income families are paying more in state and local taxes than the state’s highest earners. Those households earning $113,000 or less pay roughly 12.3 percent of their income in taxes while those earning $447,000 or more pay just 8.8 percent. Much of that disparity can be attributed directly to a steady increase in regressive property taxes.
To find out more about Minnesota’s tax system, check out the 2009 Tax Incidence Study online at http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/legal_policy/other_supporting_content/2009_tax_incidence_study_links.pdf.
MINNESOTA POTHOLE HOTLINE
It finally feels like we’ve turned the corner toward spring. But the change of seasons also means our roads get riddled with potholes. You can assist the Minnesota Department of Transportation in keeping on top of potholes on state highways and interstates by calling the Pothole Repair Hotline at (651) 582-1550 or by sending an e-mail with the location of the pothole to the MnDOT Dispatch Center at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
THE FEDERAL RECOVERY ACT IN MINNESOTA
Last month Congress and President Obama passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in an effort to rebuild America’s infrastructure and put people back to work. To find out more about the Recovery bill, check out http://www.recovery.gov. To find more specific information about the bill’s impact in Minnesota, check out the Minnesota Management and Budget website at http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/citizen-information.
Kim Norton
House of Representatives-29B
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