HOUSE WILL MOVE QUICKLY TO STIMULATE ECONOMY AND CREATE JOBS

On February 12th, Minnesota’s state legislature reconvenes for the 2008 legislative session. This will be a shorter, fast-paced and intense session. I have joined House members who traveled the state to weigh projects and priorities, and hearing testimony in committee meetings so we can hit the ground running. Here are some of my thoughts on the challenges and priorities for the session ahead.

The economy and jobs is the first priority of most Minnesotans, as a new state poll released this week indicates. We will work to address this concern by quickly passing a responsible and comprehensive bonding bill that invests in transportation, public buildings, wastewater projects, and more. Local roads and bridges, clean water, and higher education are the priorities, with an emphasis on projects ready to go soon. A bonding bill can create over 10 thousand jobs; we want these jobs to begin as soon as possible.

Projects in our district were the focus when the House and Senate bonding committees visited our area in October. The only specific freight rail project before the bonding committees, the publicly-owned Minnesota Prairie Line in Sibley County, represents an exciting opportunity for residents throughout our area. By upgrading the 1912-era tracks, agricultural and business shippers will be able to expand operations and ship more economically. Addressing the clean-water focus, a citizen-run effort to work with MSU-Mankato to clean up Lake Titloe in Gaylord is receiving positive reaction. Residents in our area have been working hard to protect our waters and invest in our economic future, and I will work vigorously with the members of the House Committee to get these projects and other projects included in the final package.

A comprehensive and responsible transportation bill is certainly a priority this session. The tragic collapse of the I-35 bridge last August shed new light on our state’s crumbling roads and bridges. In our region, the unfinished Highway 14 is a continuing safety concern. Hundreds of roads and bridges need to be addressed, including the 99 bridge in St. Peter. Bonding cannot address all of these concerns. We need to do more. We need a sustainable source of funding that will make our roads stronger and safer, and expand our transit options – including in rural parts of our state. I have worked throughout the past eight months to help put together a bipartisan coalition on a transportation package that will enhance safety and help the economy.

Nursing homes need our support. Just last week, I visited with staff at St. Peter’s Benedictine nursing home. There, I heard again about the deep needs to support those who care for our parents and grandparents. I am a co-author of a new, stand-alone bill to increase funding for our state’s nursing homes for the second year of this budget cycle, in addition to other provisions. The long-term facilities across our state are not only critical to the well-being of our loved ones; they are also provide important jobs. I hope we can increase in funding now, and then pass a more comprehensive nursing home funding bill in the following budget year.

Another priority for the upcoming session is to continue to strengthen our state’s support for veterans. We need to make sure we are prepared to support them as they return home from active duty, not only with their medical and psychological needs, but also with housing and long-term educational needs. In the past few months, I have participated in meetings on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the state’s need to prepare for anticipated sharp increases in these injuries. I have worked to enhance transportation funding for veterans seeking medical aid and will bring a bill to achieve this goal in 2008.

Minnesota’s economic future will depend greatly upon targeted, meaningful investments today. By investing in renewable energy and the biosciences, we can establish southern Minnesota as a regional center for these booming industries. Providing a world-class education system for E-12 education, higher education institutions, and workforce training will ensure Minnesotans are among the most well trained and fully prepared workers in the quickly changing workforce of tomorrow. I will work throughout the 2008 session to do what I can to ensure our economic success.

Clearly the state’s projected budget deficit, which will likely increase when the next forecast is released at the end of this month, poses some real challenges. As we work to balance the budget within the constraints of this shortfall, it will be important to remain focused on our top priorities. Minnesotans deserve responsible and honest leadership to address the challenges before us, and by working together, I believe we can make 2008 a year of optimism, and hope for a better Minnesota. I hope to hear from folks in our area as we work toward a productive and positive 2008 session.

Terry Morrow

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