Where I Stand

Tougher penalties for sex offenders was a primary concern this year, and we approved longer sentences for all categories of sex offenders with new sentencing guidelines.

$1 million was allocated to create the Internet Child Pornography Team, an investigative unit at the Department of Public Safety, that will investigate tips and conduct sting operations.

Consumers are now able to safeguard their financial information by placing a freeze on their credit report to prevent fraud. Personal information will be protected by new penalties against unauthorized computer hacking.

A list will now be posted on the Internet of all non-compliant predatory offenders so that Minnesotans will be aware of offenders who fail to comply with terms of their release.

Additional money was spent for prison guards, staff, and significant additional prison space to lock up sex offenders and dangerous criminals. The Minneapolis police force was drastically increased with a $2 million allocation.

Academic rigor was emphasized this year and Algebra I will now be required by 8th grade and Algebra II and Chemistry or Physics will be required to graduate from

high school.

Significant new aid for Early Childhood education was approved and begins to restore ECFE revenue to its level prior to the 2003 budget reductions.

A one-time per pupil unit aid of $3.67 was approved this year to offset rising energy costs.

Bills to lengthen the school year, provide property tax relief to schools, and a 70% classroom spending requirement were not passed this year.

Legislation was passed providing a tax credit for MN soldiers serving in combat, helping veterans reintegrate, providing in-state tuition, and college credit for military training.

$6 million was allocated to improve operations at the Minneapolis Veterans Homes and to provide for upgrades at other homes around the state.

The Governor created the Military and Veterans Support Cabinet and ordered all state agencies to review their policies to help veterans.

We passed the Funeral Protection Act which prohibits the disruption of a funeral, burial, or memorial service.

I sponsored a resolution encouraging our Congressional delegation to support giving higher education credits to veterans’ children and spouses in cases where the veterans do not use the money.

In the November election, voters will be asked to amend the state constitution to dedicate all of the sales tax on motor vehicles, about $300 million a year, to highways and transit. Currently, only about 54% of this revenue is used for transportation purposes.

The governor proposed, and all the members of my caucus supported, a plan to raise $2.5 billion over 10 years for highway maintenance and construction. The plan went down in an omnibus bill, however. If the constitutional amendment passes in November, this bonding plan will be back for consideration.

We allocated $52.5 million for local bridge replacement and repair and $15.3 million to assist cities, counties, and townships with road improvements.