This article was originally posted on 08-23-2013

Legislative Update - 8-22-2013

Hi Everyone,

As you may know, Governor Mark Dayton recently announced that the state legislature will meet for a Special Session on Monday, September 9 to provide much-needed disaster relief for 18 Minnesota counties.

I am pleased that DFLers and Republicans will continue our proud tradition of working together in a bipartisan manner to help Minnesotans impacted by natural disasters. When a storm, flood, or other disaster strikes any part of our state, Minnesotans can always count on their elected officials to support them in their time of need. Now that the details of the Special Session are finalized, we can move forward with providing our communities the support needed to recover.

State assistance is needed to secure federal matching funds, which will pay for 75 percent of costs to repair roads, bridges, buildings, and other public infrastructure damaged by severe storms earlier this summer.

The good news is that Minnesota's economy is positioned for success. The budget passed by the DFL-led legislature put our state on the best financial footing it's been on in decades. As evidence, Minnesota's credit outlook was just upgraded by Moody's, citing our state's "strong fiscal management that has resulted in improved revenue performance, replenishment of budget reserves, and budget balancing solutions that are largely recurring." Last month we saw 4,000 new jobs created in Minnesota. The Department of Revenue is projected property taxes will go down next year for the first time in a decade due to our emphasis on middle class property tax relief. And we've made big strides in education such as funding for all-day kindergarten next year and a tuition freeze for all our college students.

Minnesota's economy is healthy, growing, and poised for long-term shared prosperity. It's my hope we can continue making progress as we head toward the 2014 legislative session.

Sandra Masin

 

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