LETTER: Rep. Anderson Talks 2012 Legislative Session

To the Editor:

The 2012 legislative session kicked off last week with an $867 million projected surplus. A far cry from the $5.2 billion budget deficit we experienced last year when Republican majorities took office in both the House and Senate. We worked with Governor Dayton to resolve the budget shortfall and remove barriers to job growth.

This year, we are building on our efforts to transform how government operates through our Reform 2.0 initiative.

For job growth, this plan includes:

1. Phasing out the statewide business property tax on small businesses to help spur job growth.

2. Placing a moratorium on state rulemaking and regulations and removing outdated systems.

3. Establishing a primary contact for new and expanding businesses so we have a one-stop shop for growing jobs in Minnesota.

4. Enhancing the Angel Investment Tax Credit to encourage entrepreneurship

For education, this plan includes:

1. Aggressive strategies to turn around the state's lowest achieving schools.

2. Giving greater authority to remove ineffective teachers.

3. Rewarding high achieving teachers.

4. Providing greater transparency for parents and students on the performance of schools.

For getting a greater return on the hard-earned tax dollars the state spends, this plan includes:

1. Consolidating back office functions, streamlining fleet management, and evaluating real estate leases to reflect our current economy.

2. Equalizing government pay and benefits with the private sector.

3. Asking city and county governments to present budget and spending information in any easy to follow format for citizens.

There is a host of initiatives designed to bring your government into the 21st century. These are just a few of them. We cannot afford to continue to operate like its 1972. We heard this sentiment expressed time and again by citizens across the state.

My colleagues and I are looking forward to working with Governor Dayton to enact the Reform 2.0 initiatives. I encourage you to contact me with any of your ideas as we move through this legislative session. Together we can establish a sustainable government that fosters job and economic growth.

- Sarah Anderson

(Editor's Note: Sarah Anderson is the Republican State Representative for District 43A, which includes parts of Plymouth and Medicine Lake. This letter contains information from a recent press release sent out by Anderson.)