Good policy can be made by working together

Published 1:45 pm Saturday, January 23, 2010

When the 2010 legislative session reconvenes on Feb. 4, legislators will begin to address some of the most difficult challenges our state has faced in decades.

For the seventh year since 2002, we are again facing a budget shortfall that will likely require more cuts to core services and programs. There are also still 250,000 unemployed Minnesotans, making job creation a primary concern. This year, with so much at stake, it will be more important than ever that we come together and work toward a common goal of improving the lives of our fellow Minnesotans and bringing economic stability back to our state. It always feels good to get started working on the issues at hand, and I’m up for the challenge.

One of the first bills we will pass is a capital investment, or bonding bill. State economists, legislators and Gov. Tim Pawlently all agree that a bonding bill is an effective way to create jobs and jump start our economy. The connection between jobs and the economy was made very clear in early December when the state budget forecast was released. More than 70 percent of the current deficit is a result of lower income taxes collected. It is clear that both in the short-term, and the long-term, job creation is essential. It is estimated that a $1 billion bonding bill can create between 10,000 and 20,000 jobs.

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Over the past few years, our communities have benefited from the bonding bill, especially the Edgewater Park cleanup project. I once again have requested funding for three projects in our area, and remain optimistic they will make the final cut. Pawlenty announced his bonding project list last week, and hearings in the House and Senate are under way. I am hopeful all parties can reach agreement quickly so we can take full advantage of the spring construction season.

Balancing our state budget will be the biggest challenge of this session. In the same way households must cut spending when their income decreases, cuts will be part of our solution, as well. The governor has indicated he will release his budget proposal by the beginning of session, which we will carefully consider. The House finance divisions are already meeting to consider what cuts can be made to their budgets. As we did last year, we will work hard to make sure our cuts don’t eliminate jobs.

Reaching agreement on the state budget will without a doubt be difficult, and I know others share my hope for collaboration and compromise. This week, I attended an Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce lunch, where we talked about the importance of working together on the issues that matter to our district. During the next two weeks I will be visiting with local business owners to hear their concerns and suggestions for the upcoming legislative session. I hope anyone who would like to share their views will give my office a call to set up an appointment.

I give my predecessor in the House, Dan Dorman, a lot of credit for working across party lines when he felt it was in the best interest of our district and our state. I have worked hard to continue that partnership, and often joined my colleagues across the aisle in support of what I believe will be good for our district. Good policy can be made by working together and considering more than one person’s approach.

The strength of our democracy is that a wide variety of opinions can co-exist and prompt open, honest and respectful debate.

Our democracy is strengthened even further when this debate sparks cooperation, allowing a final agreement to be reached on legislation that is good for Minnesota. Now more than ever before we must come together to do the work that will benefit all regions of Minnesota. I know this is what the residents of District 27A expect, and it is certainly what they deserve.

As I begin my fourth year serving District 27A, I just want to say it is truly an honor to represent you. Please continue to contact me with your suggestions and feedback as we tackle these monumental issues. I can be reached at (651) 296-8216 or by e-mail at rep.robin.brown@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.

Robin Brown, DFL-Moscow Township, is the state representative for District 27A.