And now for the 2008 Results

We ended the 2008 legislative session with a lot of hard work and a good deal for Minnesotans. Additional resources for our schools and nursing homes, direct property tax aid, a transportation-funding package, a strategic public works bill that focuses on higher education and environmental investments, and a health care reform package are among the positive strides made for our communities.

Capital Improvements:
The primary focus was passage of a "bonding bill." It is an economic stimulus package that will create more than 10,000 jobs. The first priority is to provide funding for state colleges and the University of MN. The second priority is to provide funding for environmental protection. There were five local projects that were included and these are:

•MN Correctional Facility – Red Wing Vocational Education Building, $6 million. 

•A Mississippi River Aquatic Invasive Species Barrier: $500,000 for use by the commissioner to match available federal dollars and dollars from other states.

•A provision for Frontenac State Park to restore some deteriorating trails along the bluffland.

•A provision for the Mill Towns Trail from Lake Byllesby Park to Cannon Falls.

1. •A grant to Olmsted and Wabasha Counties to design and engineer the restoration of Lake Zumbro.
   

Transportation:
Early in the session we passed a transportation bill that will invest $6.6 billion into our roads and bridges over the next ten years, and add more than 30,000 jobs for the next five years. One example of how investing in transportation equals jobs: Hancock Concrete, Cannon Falls, MN, received an order for several box culverts that will serve as a pedestrian tunnel under the new I35 W bridge. Making a 20 feet wide by 11 feet high by 252 feet long tunnel will keep twelve people dedicated 100 percent of their time working for four weeks.

Legacy Act:
Another provision passed early by the legislature is a bill I co-authored. It has been coined the “Legacy Act,” a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that will allow the voters to say yeah or nay to dedicating a portion of the state sales tax (3/8 of one percent) to Minnesota's environment and natural resources, parks, and arts.  Legislators have been working hard on this for eleven years. Obviously we got the right coalition to pass this important piece of legislation and bring it before the people of Minnesota. Ultimately it is the people's choice to invest in Minnesota's natural resources and provide long-term funding to preserve our legacy.

Relief Funding:
We also provided $38 million for Interstate 35W bridge collapse victims and $157 for flood relief funding for southeastern Minnesota.

Health Care:
Better health care and better value for Minnesotans by:

•Lowering costs through administrative reform.

•A focus on prevention.  Chronic conditions (obesity, heart disease, diabetes, asthma and depression) make up 83% of health care costs.

•Making coverage affordable for those with health insurance.

•Extending it to more Minnesotans who have no coverage.

Nursing homes are slated to receive a 2 percent cost of living adjustment in 2009, on top of the 2 percent they received in 2008.

Education:

Public schools in Minnesota will receive an additional 1 percent funding increase next year, adding $51 dollars for every student. In addition, schools are being offered the flexibility to make one-time transfer of an additional $51 from their capital budget to their general fund to address critical needs. (This is in addition to the $850 million in investments made last year.)  

Tax Credits, property tax relief and local aid to cities and counties:

Finally, my highlight, as Vice-Chair of the Tax Committee, was passage of the tax bill.   It contained a couple of provisions I have worked hard for. First, there will be an increase in tax credits for military servicemen and servicewomen who are in a combat zone (from $59 per month to $120 per month). There is a provision for 100% disabled vets or career military (over 20 years of service) of $750 per year. The credit phases out for incomes above $30,000.

There will be $23 million plus in property tax relief assisting those who need it most.  That's enough for 10,000 new homeowners and more dollars to 60,000 homeowners who all ready receive some benefit. And all the cities in this district will benefit from a $42 million increase for local city aid, and $22 million increase for county aid. The City of Red Wing - starting in 2010 and beyond – will receive greater than $1.5 million in permanent aid as host to a large utility.

1. I was chief author of 14 bills (click for details) and co-author on 91 bills (click for details) during Legislative Session No. 85: 2007 - 2008