Rep. Norton: Legislative Update Tue, 04 Sep 2007
09/05/2007
Dear Neighbors,
The past several weeks have been difficult for many of our neighbors to the south. Thousands of homes and businesses have been damaged or destroyed, key infrastructure lies in ruin, and people's lives have been turned upside down. Current damage estimates are in the tens of millions, and the road to recovery looks just as daunting.
Just as following the 35W bridge collapse, Rochester citizens want to help. Outreach has been generous, but folks are still asking how they can lend a helping hand to those who have lost so much. In this time of tragedy, I encourage you to help in any way you are able. Here are several suggestions:
It is truly hard to grasp the widespread devastation that resulted from last weeks flooding. Small or large, the losses are personal and tragic to those involved. But if we each do our part and pitch in just a little bit, the road to recovery for our friends throughout southeastern Minnesota will be that much easier.
If you have any additional questions about what you can do to help those affected by tragedy in our area throughout the coming weeks, please contact me by phone at (651) 296-9249 or by email at . Feel free to call my cell phone as well at (507) 990-0276.
Once again, wonderful Minnesotan's are there to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Sincerely,
Kim Norton State Representative
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CONSTITUENT MEETINGS Second Saturday of every month
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Dunn Brothers Coffee
120 Elton Hills Drive NW, Rochester
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STATE FAIR The State Fair is a great way for Minnesotans to come together and celebrate our great history, heritage, and all the things that make our state one of the best in the nation. I hope that you and your family made it out to the Fair this year.
This past week I spent several days at the Minnesota House of Representatives booth meeting with constituents, answering questions, taking suggestions for legislation, and spending time with people from our community.
We also distributed a poll to fair-goers asking their opinion on some legislative issues that may be discussed in the upcoming legislative session. Results of this poll can be found at: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/Fair/2007Results.pdf.
BACK TO SCHOOL It's hard to believe, but the first day of school is today. For some, it may be their first day of Kindergarten, and others (like mine!) their last year of high school.
Regardless of whether your child will be studying arithmetic or algebra this fall, I wanted to let parents know that when you are shopping for school supplies, some of your school purchases could be tax-deductible.
Information about how to receive these tax benefits can be found online at http://www.house.mn/hrd/issinfo/sseducdc.htms.
If you have any additional questions about the K-12 Education Deduction and Credit, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes to all of our students, teachers, and administrative staff for a very successful school year.
SPECIAL SESSION DESIRABLE The people of Minnesota have been through a lot this past month. First, a major bridge on Interstate 35W collapsed in Minneapolis, killing over a dozen people, injuring hundreds, and causing all of us to ask important questions about the integrity of our infrastructure.
Weeks later, thousands of residents of southeastern Minnesota experienced devastating flooding in one of the worst natural disasters our region has experienced in decades. Damage estimates are in the tens of millions, thousands of people have been displaced, businesses destroyed, and key roads, bridges, and other infrastructure has been ruined.
There has been question as to what role the state should play in disaster relief. Certainly we should see that immediate support and disaster response is adequate so that every citizen is safe and secure. We also need to allow the appropriate sources, such as insurance, family and community, to provide the supports that bring the immediate relief individuals and families desire in times of crisis.
I believe we, as a state, must then seek to provide the necessary support and resources for the important recovery (economically, psychologically, and physically) of these communities and their citizens that remain unmet, so that recovery can be complete to the greatest extent possible.
It is time to take immediate action to remedy the infrastructure needs that both of the recent tragedies have brought to bear. We need to examine our priorities, investigate the methods of road and bridge evaluation, re-examine transit and transportation needs, and put into place policies and funding, too long ignored, that ensure safe travel for all Minnesotans.
We must pass legislation to ensure that all infrastructure needs statewide are adequately met now and with an eye to the future. We cannot allow a crippled infrastructure throughout the flooded areas of southeastern Minnesota, of roads and bridges crossing into the heart of Minneapolis, and across the state, to occur as our economic future and strength as a state is reliant on these.
In response to these tragedies, many of my legislative colleagues have voiced their opinions that the Governor should bring the Legislature back to St. Paul for a special session. I wholeheartedly agree that a special session would benefit Minnesota. Legislative leadership has been meeting with the governor throughout the past several weeks to discuss a special session agenda and I hope that the Governor will call us back to the Capitol as soon as possible.
In the event that a special session is called, my colleagues and I are ready and willing to address Minnesota's looming needs in an adequate, efficient, and speedy manner.
- Kim Norton House of Representatives-29B