After the election in 2012, state Rep. Shannon Savick had the difficult task of cleaning up our state’s finances, which Republicans had left in shambles. The GOP passed along a $600 million budget deficit and nearly $1 billion in debt to our schools.

But Rep. Savick didn’t back down from that challenge. She paid back every penny owed to our schools and used new revenue — largely from closing corporate tax loopholes and asking the wealthiest 2 percent of Minnesotans to pay just 2 percent more in income taxes to eliminate the Republican deficit and invest in District 27A priorities.

These priorities included:

• Free all-day kindergarten for every child.

• A two-year college tuition freeze.

• Bigger property tax refunds for both homeowners and renters.

• More funding for our nursing homes.

• Money for dredging Fountain Lake.

As a result, our economy is growing again and the children in our area have a greater opportunity to reach their full potential. And isn’t that what we want most, that each child — no matter his or her life challenges — has a fair shot at a good life?

There is much to do in the upcoming years, and I believe that Shannon Savick is the best choice in this election to keep Minnesota and the Albert Lea area moving forward. Please vote for her Nov. 4.

 

Arthur A. Anderson

Albert Lea