In the final days of the 2002 legislative session, state lawmakers addressed a $2.4 billion state deficit without raising taxes and without significant budget reductions to our schools, nursing homes and local governments. At the same time, we were able to rebuild the state’s reserves. Appropriately, the session’s grand finale came late in May when Governor Ventura took out his “Samurai” sword and cut some $357 million from the $979 million bonding bill.

The budget agreement is an achievement considering that dozens of other states facing similar deficits have been considering raising taxes and slashing programs such as K-12 education. The 2002 session was filled with both good and disappointing news for Freeborn County. I am delighted that the Albert Lea school district will receive increased declining enrollment aid. In addition, Farmland workers will get a further unemployment extension and the city will be allowed to create a tax increment financing district for its new industrial park. It’s the first time in legislative history that TIF has been used for such a project.

I am disappointed that the local option sales tax plan for Albert Lea Lake was not adopted. Whether you like the idea or not, the state should not play favorites. I was disappointed that the Governor slashed some $12 million in local economic development aid from the bonding bill. And I was disappointed and left scratching my head when the Governor vetoed funding for the Blazing Star Trail and especially the Shooting Star Trail considering that the project was part of the Governor’s original bonding bill proposal.

Balancing the budget next year will indeed be a challenge for the 2003 legislature. Should we have increased taxes? Facing a deficit in 1991, the legislature imposed a “temporary” half-cent increase in the sales tax to balance the budget. More than a decade later, that temporary tax is still with us. Many are reluctant to impose a permanent tax hike for what many believe is a short-term problem.

Although Minnesota has been touched by a national recession and the events of Sept. 11, every quality of life indicator shows that the state of the state is good, and I believe, will continue to get better.

The recent 2002 Kids Count report indicated that our young people are not as likely to die young, give birth, drop out of school or live in poverty when compared with other kids across the nation – a rating that is tops in the country. For the sixth year in a row, Minnesota has been named the nation’ s most livable state by a Kansas-based publishing and research company, based on 43 factors, reflecting our economy, education, health, public safety and environment.

Earlier this year, the Minnesota Planning Department released its 2002 Minnesota Milestones report, a measure of Minnesota’s progress on economic, environmental and social issues. In education, our kids continue to excel. Minnesota elementary and middle school students ranked first in the nation in math scores.

Minnesotans’ satisfaction with government remains high while the price of government has declined. Minnesota’s workforce remains one of best educated in the country. Nine out of 10 Minnesotans report they feel safe. Volunteerism is up; more people are helping others in their communities. Measured by voter turnout, civic participation has increased. Minnesota ranks fourth nationally in home ownership. And the environment is better; rivers are safer for swimming, the 1990s saw less soil erosion and there is more forest land.

Considering the bleak economic forecast going into the session, Freeborn County gained more than I could have hoped. Minnesotans can take pride in all they have accomplished. We’re optimistic because we know we can achieve and solve problems when we put our minds to it. We’re not a great state because we have a great government; we’re have a great state because we have great people.

What do you think? I welcome your input and ideas. Please call me at home at 377-9441 or at the legislature, toll-free, at 1-877-377-9441. My legislative office address is 579 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155. My e-mail address is: rep.dan.dorman@ house.leg.state.mn.us. And be sure to sign up for my legislative up-date newsletter at www.house.mn/27A.

Rep. Dan Dorman, R-Albert Lea, represents Freeborn County in the Minnesota House of Representatives.