Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I would like to thank everyone who participated in my 2015 Legislative Survey. Your input about issues being debated at the Capitol is important to me, and I appreciate your feedback.
Here are the results:
Governor Dayton and the Senate DFL majority have proposed adding a 6.5% sales tax to fuel sales to fund transportation projects. Do you support this proposal?
Yes 21%
No 71.1%
Undecided 7.5%
Do you believe state funding for nursing homes and long-term care programs for seniors and the disabled should be:
Increased 56.2%
Kept the Same 37.3%
Reduced 6.1%
The February forecast showed that Minnesota is projected to have a $1.9 billion surplus for Minnesota's 2016-2017 budget. What should the legislature do with that money?
Increase Spending 8.1%
Return it to Taxpayers 48.7%
Keep it in the Reserves 37.2%
Other 5.8%
Do you support the funding and construction of the proposed Northern Lights Express (NLX Rail)?
Yes 30.3%
No 52.3%
Undecided 17.5%
Currently, in tight budgeting times school districts make layoff decisions based on teacher seniority. Some legislators are advocating for a reform that allows schools to also consider teacher effectiveness in those decisions. Do you support making this change?
Yes 75.6%
No 15.2%
Undecided 8.8%
What mode of transportation do your normally use to get to work?
I drive myself 76.6%
I carpool 3.4%
I take the bus 0.53%
I take the light rail 0.00%
Other 19.5%
Do you support or oppose the federal court decision to prohibit hunting of gray wolves?
Support 20.4%
Oppose 59.1%
Undecided 20.4%
From your perspective, what is the best way to grow jobs in Minnesota?
Increase state funding for construction projects across Minnesota 7%
Pass tax relief and incentives to encourage business growth and job creation 31%
Limit state spending to the amount of revenue taken in and slow government growth 21%
Use surplus funds to offer income tax relief to taxpayers can keep more of their hard-earned money 7%
Raise taxes and increase spending on state programs 0%
Increase education funding and focus on workforce development 11%
Other 2%
Combination of the above 21%
Once again, thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts with me! It's an honor to represent you in the Minnesota House, and I will continue to fight for the people and priorities of District 32A in the legislature.
As always, if you have any questions or comments on legislative issues, I welcome you to contact my office.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Brian