Rep. Norton - Newsletter 2/14/2009
02/15/2009
Dear Neighbors,
Two weeks ago Governor Pawlenty released his budget-balancing plan. This is the first step in the process of developing a comprehensive plan to resolve Minnesota’s $4.8 billion shortfall. You can find more details about Governor Pawlenty’s plan online at http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/fin/budget.
I was pleased to see the governor and I share a strong commitment to our public schools. However, I am concerned with some deep cuts Governor Pawlenty has planned for health care and some services for the elderly and disabled. Despite the difficulties we face, we need to ensure our most vulnerable citizens don’t bear the brunt of the budget deficit.
Lawmakers will be bringing the governor’s budget on the road to gather input and suggestions from Minnesota citizens. I encourage you to participate in a legislative hearing in Rochester on Thursday, February 19 at 6:00pm in the Heintz Center Common Area at Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC). The event is free and all citizens of Rochester are invited to attend. If you are interested in testifying before the committee, go to http://www.house.mn to sign up.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and recommendations on how best to balance the budget deficit. You can reach me directly by phone at (651) 296-9249 or by email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Kim Norton
State Representative
District 29B
CONSTITUENT MEETING
Second Saturday of the Month (February 14, 2009)
8:30am – 9:30am
Dunn Brothers Coffee
120 Elton Hills Drive NW, Rochester
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET HEARING IN ROCHESTER
Thursday, February 19, 2009
6:00pm
Rochester Community and Technical College
Heintz Center Common Area
STATE BUDGET ROUNDTABLE
Saturday, February 21, 2009
9:00am – 11:00am
John Marshall High School – Pocket Room
1510 14th Street NW
MY BILLS
Requiring insurance companies to cover treatment for autism spectrum disorders – HF359
Allowing public schools to begin classes before Labor Day – HF194
Statewide academic standards required for physical education – HF439
Establishing a new “dental therapist” practice for rural and low-income populations – HFTBA
LAWMAKERS PASS UNEMPLOYMENT EXTENSION
These difficult times have put many people out of work. More than 200,000 Minnesotans are already unemployed in the worst economic recession Minnesota has seen since World War II. The state is losing jobs at a rate of over 1,000 per week and over 77,000 job losses are expected in 2009. Unemployment in Minnesota is slightly below the national average at 6.9%. Rochester’s economy is performing better than the rest of the state, with unemployment at 5.3%.
Minnesota lawmakers extended a helping hand to people across Minnesota who have lost their jobs, and those who will lose their jobs in the coming year. We passed HF4, a bill extending unemployment benefits for Minnesota workers ineligible for the federal unemployment extension recently passed by Congress.
HF4 passed with broad bipartisan support in the House and Senate, and was signed into law by Governor Pawlenty just hours later. Because of this new law, 150 families every week who would have otherwise fallen off the unemployment rolls will get a much-needed lifeline to find new employment in a difficult job market.
We need to all be mindful now of the difficult situations facing families in our community, and thousands more across the state. Together we can get through these challenging times. More information about HF4 can be found online at http://www.house.mn.
TOOLS FOR JOB-SEEKERS
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.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
Every year, thousands of Minnesotans who are eligible for property tax relief don't take advantage of it. As your legislator, I’m committed to ensuring that all of the people in our district who deserve refunds for their property taxes receive them. This is your money; make sure you get it back!
To apply for the refund, complete form M1PR. This form is available at public libraries and at other locations where state tax forms are distributed. It can also be found at the Minnesota Department of Revenue website at: http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/taxes/prop_refund/forms.shtml. The Department of Revenue asks that taxpayers fill out the 2008 form M1PR claims by August 15, 2009. Taxpayers who file 2008 claims after August 15, 2010 will not receive a refund.
To apply for the Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral Program, you can fill out an application at the county auditor’s office. Applications are also available online at the Minnesota Department of Revenue website: http://www.taxes.state.mn.us/taxes/prop_refund/forms.shtml.
Kim Norton
House of Representatives-29B