REFORM 2.0: JOBS, EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE "This is not a Republican Agenda. It is Minnesota's Agenda."

SAINT PAUL – (January 19, 2012) –  Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature today unveiled their priorities for the 2012 legislative session. Focused on  creating a competitive business climate to foster private sector job growth,  high performing education and a smaller, cost-effective government, Reform 2.0 will modernize outdated, rigid public systems that have failed to respond to the evolving needs of Minnesota's economy and citizens.

"Tax and spend stimulus packages that create more government spending will not provide for long-term growth and stability in our state's private sector economy or state budget," said Minnesota Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove). "Restoring confidence in Minnesota's economy, improving education and health care, and transforming government services begins with reform.  When we met with business owners and citizens across this state, they were not looking for a government handout. The Reform 2.0 agenda is based on what we heard from them. This is not a Republican agenda. It is Minnesota's agenda."

Republicans said government needs a new way of thinking to address both the short-term and long-term structural needs of Minnesota's economy and budget. 

Click on the Reform 2.0 Tab at the top of this page for more information.

Zellers: Governor Dayton is following in the footsteps of Democrats in Washington

Speaker Zellers today commented on Governor Dayton's bonding proposal:

Governor Dayton is following in the footsteps of Democrats in Washington by proposing stimulus packages under the banner of job creation and economic development. In these economic times, a $775 million bonding bill that puts local spending projects on par with core infrastructure is unwise and ill-advised.

The Minnesota Legislature approved a near $500 million bonding bill in 2011 that made substantial investments in the state's core infrastructure such as roads, bridges and existing building maintenance. Fixing our deteriorating roads that people drive every day should be a priority over sending millions of dollars to staff up for nonexistent light rail lines, or to pay for sculpture gardens and perennial greening, or other local pet projects.

Republicans remain concerned with the rising financial commitment of debt service. If we have learned anything from the mortgage crisis and subsequent high rate of foreclosures, buying more because rates and costs are low isn't financially prudent or sustainable.

Davids: DFL property tax math doesn’t add up

Property taxes increase four times more than lost Market Value Credit funding

ST. PAUL, January 12, 2012 – Minnesota House Tax Committee Chair Greg Davids, R-Preston, issued the following response today to the House DFL’s false property tax claims:

Only Democrats would see the loss of $90 million as the cause for a $400 million tax increase. Their math doesn’t add up and neither does their argument. It looks more to me like they’re exploiting it for politics than they are actually trying to find a solution.  Our solution, as it was during the 2011 legislative session, is to reduce and phaseout the statewide property tax on Commercial/Industrial properties.  Although they opposed it last year, I hope the DFL will now support such a measure if their words are born out of true concern and not just political rhetoric.

Representative Linda Runbeck, R-Circle Pines, Chair of the Property Tax Division, had this to say:

Local governments must be held accountable for their spending.  We eliminated a highly flawed program, an action supported by the League of Minnesota Cities and the Association of Minnesota Counties.  This was an act to allow for more transparency, and starts to shift the paradigm from property tax relief filtered through government to relief provided directly to the tax payer.  I am encouraged by the actions some local governments have taken to increase their efficiencies, whereas the DFL would prefer sending out blank checks.

Simple facts the DFL would like you to ignore:

• The proposed $413 million tax increase is more than four times the amount that cities and counties lost when the MVHC program was replaced. The final MVHC funding was $89 million, it seems highly suspect that losing it would result in a $413 million tax increase.
• In 2010, Representative Ann Lenczewski zeroed out the MVHC reimbursement for many suburbs, including just naming a few: Burnsville, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, Bloomington, Edina, Coon Rapids, Blaine, and Woodbury. Again, this was done in 2010 - when Democrats ran the Legislature.
•  For as much as they claim to care about LGA and the former Market Value Credit, the DFL voted against, and Governor Dayton vetoed, a bill to keep LGA and MVHC reimbursements at the previous year’s levels.  This would have been the same aid amounts Democrats voted and approved when they were chairs.
• The DFL voted against, and Governor Dayton vetoed, a bill reducing and phasing out the Statewide Property Tax on Commercial/Industrial properties.  These properties are taxed once at the local level, and should not be punished twice on the same property by the state.

Their math doesn't add up, they voted against everything and they're attacking Republicans for continuing funding levels Democrats themselves set in place. It begs the question: Do Democrats truly care about property tax relief, or are they simply playing politics?

House Republicans last November released a new property tax relief package aimed at ending the statewide business property tax and providing tax relief directly to homeowners.

Zellers Statement on Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem

I congratulate Senator Dave Senjem on his election to Senate Majority Leader. I worked with Senator Senjem when he previously led the Senate Republican Caucus, and respected his leadership, communication and integrity. He is committed to putting the needs of this state and its taxpayers first. I look forward to working with Senator Majority Leader Senjem and the Senate Majority leadership to move Minnesota forward with our 2012 legislative agenda focused on of jobs, reform and fiscal restraintl.

Zellers statement on the resignation of Senator Koch

Zellers statement on the resignation of Senator Koch

Senator Koch made history this year, and it was truly an honor and a privilege to work with her during her time as Majority Leader. Her contributions to our state and its future made Minnesota better. Amy is a dear friend and I will truly miss working with her on a daily basis. She's a role model and a natural leader. I wish nothing but the best to Amy and her family.