Today was the start of the 2010 legislative session. The Minnesota Senate has laid out an ambitious agenda focused on balancing the state’s budget and growing new jobs in Minnesota.
In November, Minnesota finance officials released the state’s most recent economic forecast, which showed the state faces a projected $1.2 billion budget shortfall in the current two year budget cycle. The report states that lower than expected income tax revenue – caused by the sluggish economy and high unemployment – are responsible for 70 percent of the shortfall.
Even more troubling, the forecast showed the fiscal problems for the state will only worsen in the next biennium. During the 2011 Legislative Session, the state is expected to face a budget deficit of $5.4 billion, even before considering inflation. When inflation and other spending pressures are factored in, the projected deficit could top $8 billion.
The legislature will be moving quickly to pass a series of bills aimed at jump starting the state’s economy including:

• A bipartisan capital investment package that will make statewide investments in colleges and universities, transportation projects, and other public infrastructure. The bill would put thousands of Minnesotans back to work during the upcoming construction season, and support long-term economic development in every region of the state.
• A series of bills designed to spur private investment in the state, including an angel investment tax credit that would offer tax incentives to investors who provide capital to start-up companies in emerging industries, such as the biosciences and renewable energy.
• A broader jobs package, supported by labor and business organizations, designed to stimulate the state’s “vertical construction” industry, which includes construction and rehabilitation of residential, commercial, and industrial infrastructure.

Passing the capital investment bill, a jobs bill, and tackling the budget shortfall with an eye on the long term budget solutions will be the main focus of the session. It will be difficult but necessary work.

A recent Letter to the Editor to the Northfield News was harshly critical of the fact that sitting Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie spoke to my Advanced Placement Government & Politics class (he did not speak to a history class as erroneously stated in the attack). One of the most trying aspects of public service has been those instances when I have had to defend against unfounded accusations. These smears, which can easily be checked out with a simple phone call or email, are often perpetuated with intent to damage a professional reputation solely because one subscribes to a political position that differs from the writer.

Allow me to set the record straight; a record, I might add, that can easily be verified and substantiated.

As a political science teacher for the past 26 years, I have had numerous elected officials, on both sides of the aisle, speak to my Government and Civics classes. Furthermore, when doing so their party affiliation is irrelevant to my objective of having students come to understand the intricacies of their government at work. At no time do these speakers, regardless of their political views, ever attempt to “push their party’s agenda” as the writer assumes.

I take strong exception with any one’s assertion that I have – at any time – handed out partisan election materials in class that supports my own or anyone’s candidacy. Such a claim is an unmitigated lie. I exert extraordinary measures to make sure that my students receive the best education possible in an unbiased, open environment with respect to all viewpoints. I would never compromise my own ethical standards of professionalism by crossing a line between teacher and candidate.

I see no benefit to anyone from these types of tactics or ad hominem attacks. To cast aspersions on my professional integrity on the flimsy basis of what was “reported” to this writer and then treat it as fact, only serves to erode political discourse.

I am proud of my service to the Northfield School district and the constituents of District 25 and will continue to address all challengers and candidates – with respect and honest inquiry. In the future, it is my hope that they would uphold the same standard of decency.