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Where I Stand
2010-06-15
The State Budget
A
robust state treasury should come as a result of a robust state
economy, not at the expense of a struggling economy. All Minnesotans
are feeling the effects of our current economic situation. As each and
every family and person are having to make difficult decisions, we must
apply the same fiscal responsibility in St. Paul.
Jobs
We have
great natural resources in our state. We have one the most highly
educated workforces in the country and a rock solid work ethic.
However, as the economy and business climate have changed over the years
we have not made the necessary changes to stay competitive in the
global economy. We have taken steps in the wrong direction. In 2007 I
voted against the Renewable Energy Act. It was politically popular at
the time, but it was a sure job killer. Since then energy companies
have been rushing to comply with the regulations, and along with that
has come increasing energy costs that make it difficult to compete here. We need to streamline our permitting
processes, and bring our costs of doing business back down to encourage
new companies to come to Minnesota and succeed with us.
Taxes
As a
state, we boast the 3rd highest business tax rate in the industrialized
world. Our business tax comprises only 2.8% of the general fund
revenue, yet it stands as one of the greatest barriers to new business
development in Minnesota. It can and should be reduced substantially, immediately.
Our income tax rates have served to drive our snowbirds out of Minnesota
completely. Our tax rates must be brought down to enable those who
have worked in Minnesota their whole life to retire in Minnesota for the
rest of their life. Our income tax rates have also turned cities like
Sioux Falls, La Crosse, River Falls, and Superior into tax relief
shelters for Minnesota workers. Lastly, we are one of only a few states
who still tax military pensions. Our veterans served our country and
we owe it to them to treat them at least the same way nearly every other
state in the country treats them.
Education
Education
spending makes up nearly 40% of the state budget. Steps must be taken
to ensure that education dollars are spent wisely and stay in the
classroom. I fully support a voucher system that would allow parents to
choose where to send their children with their own tax dollars. I
believe the state has a responsibility to provide access to a quality
education for children in Minnesota. However, I don't believe that the
state has a right to a monopoly on education. We have to stay on the
cutting edge of technology in providing education to ensure that our
children have the skills and opportunities to succeed in the 21st
century.
Transportation
At
the core of a robust economy is its ability to move people and goods
freely and efficiently. Public transportation plans must make economic
sense and be viable on their own. I oppose any expansion of light rail
transit that is not economically viable on its own. We cannot afford to
continue building systems that will not sustain themselves. We simply
do not have the money. 96% of Minnesotans get around using our roads
and bridges as their primary method of travel. Transportation dollars
should be allocated as such.
Taxpayer Funded Stadiums
No. How
can we in good conscience make cuts to education, local government aid,
and social services and yet find money for stadiums?
Energy
We
must repeal the Renewable Energy Act. I was one of only 10 legislators
in the house who saw the economic damage that would result from this
bill and voted against it when it was politically unpopular to do so.
It has served to drive up electricity prices and has barred us from
purchasing clean affordable energy from our neighbors. The Renewable Energy
Act has driven up the cost of manufacturing and is becoming a real
threat to our manufacturing sector jobs. We also need to end the
nuclear energy moratorium. The senate passed a bill repealing the ban
and it failed in the house by only five votes. This has bipartisan
support and mine as well.
Voting Rights
Our right to vote is
the core of our democracy. We owe it to every voter in Minnesota to
ensure that their vote is counted and not canceled out by fraudulent
behavior. Today, you cannot buy a pack of gum with a credit card
without having your ID checked. We must apply the same scrutiny to our
most sacred protection as citizens, our right to vote. I fully support
the implementation of photo ID verification when voting. I fully
support ending the practice of same day registration. To ensure we have
fair and accurate elections, the Secretary of State's office must have
time to validate voter registrations prior to election day.
Natural Resources and the
Outdoors
Clean air and clean water are not partisan
issues. However, the path we take to get there has become partisan. It
is not enough to catapult bags of gold at the problem and call it a
day. I fully support investing our resources in projects that will
directly contribute to clean water and clean air. Simply transferring
land titles from private land owners to the DNR is not the answer. We
must take steps to steer resources to flood mitigation and buffer
strips. We must invest our resources in reclaiming the waters that have
been overrun by non-native species and protect those that haven't. I
believe strongly in the spirit of private citizens and their commitment
to the same goals. We need to work more closely with the people of
Minnesota who still own 75% of the land, not just the 25% of the land
that is owned by the federal and state government.
2011 Legislative Session
2011-01-16
The 2011 Legislative session is underway with new leadership in the House, Senate, and the Governor's office. Everyone is getting attuned to their new responsibilities and opportunities. It's a new era for state government. A time to make bold moves to right the course of Minnesota's government, but such changes must come with judicious forethought. The first legislative bill introductions have been registered with some sound initiatives. Now comes the committee deliberation to weigh the pro's and con's of the important bills to determine if they are more helpful or cost effective than current law. I urge everyone to be attentive to what is happening in the Legislature, follow the bills and committee action, and most importantly, citizens must let their legislators know how they perceive and evaluate the reamifications of the bills being debated. The new members of the House and Senate are dynamic men and women, here to work for the good of all Minnesotans. Please encourage them to hold firm to their convictions in service to all.
As I begin my third term, my committee assignments include; Agriculture and Rural Development, Transportation, and vice chair of the Judiciary Committee. I am also serving on a "Ladder Out of Poverty" task force, with my work group developing financial education guidelines for K-12 students and adults. As always your questions, input and suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
We are charged with balancing the State budget in this legislative session. Revenues for the 2012-2013 biennium will increase approximately 5% to $32 Billion. It is our intent to live within our means, not raise taxes, or continue to spend more than we collect in revenue. Without structural change in State statutes, we would be on a course to spend over $38 Billion in the next biennium. Now is the prime opportunity to reform, revamp, review, and restructure how we provide services to the people of Minnesota, to eliminate excessive and redundant bureaucracy in state and local government. The emphasis should be on returning local control to counties, cities, townships, and school districts.
In all of this process and deliberation, we must be mindful of the need to help or allow the private sector to create the jobs necessary to grow out of this recession. Long term, sustained economic growth can only be assured through the productivity and employment within the private sector. The legislature's job should be to remove barriers and obstructions that stall job growth in Minnesota. Repeatedly, we are told of jobs leaving Minnesota for other states or foreign countries where the costs and burden of doing business are much less than they are here. We have tremendous resources here, the best of which is our well educated workforce, agricultural production, forests, minerals, water, recreation, and four definitive seasons. Our workforce and industry leaders are willing, but the bureaucracy impedes our efficient development of these resources. The Federal government also compounds this problem. Corporate taxes, Environmental Protection Agency rules and restrictions as well as labor laws and other federal interventions, meant to protect us, drive up our costs and diminish any technological or competitive advantage we may have over producers around the globe. In this global economy, America and Minnesota should lead in productivity and prosperity. It is up to us to bring about the changes needed to make it happen! But the voters and citizens have to back us up, to help persuade and convince those reluctant or resistant to change, that we need to release the productive potential within us all. Let us all do our part. May God Bless America!
Ron Shimanski
The best way to contact me is by e-mail: <rep.ron.shimanski@house.mn>
by phone: 651-296-1534 or 1-800-920-5882
by US mail: Rep. Ron Shimanski
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, Mn. 55155-1298
2011 Legislative Session
2011-01-16
2011 Legislative Session
The 2011 Legislative
session is underway with new leadership in the House, Senate, and the
Governor's office. Everyone is getting attuned to their new
responsibilities and opportunities. It's a new era for state
government. A time to make bold moves to right the
course of Minnesota's government, but such changes must come with
judicious forethought. The first legislative bill introductions have
been registered with some sound initiatives. Now comes the committee
deliberation to weigh the pro's and con's of the important bills to
determine if they are more helpful or cost effective than current law. I
urge everyone to be attentive to what is happening in the Legislature,
follow the bills and committee action, and most importantly, citizens
must let their legislators know how they perceive and evaluate the
reamifications of the bills being debated. The new members of the House
and Senate are dynamic men and women, here to work for the good of all
Minnesotans. Please encourage them to hold firm to their convictions in
service to all.
As I begin my third term, my committee
assignments include; Agriculture and Rural Development, Transportation,
and vice chair of the Judiciary Committee. I am also serving on a
"Ladder Out of Poverty" task force, with my work group developing
financial education guidelines for K-12 students and adults. As always
your questions, input and suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
We
are charged with balancing the State budget in this legislative
session. Revenues for the 2012-2013 biennium will increase
approximately 5% to $32 Billion. It is our intent to live within our
means, not raise taxes, or continue to spend more than we collect in
revenue. Without structural change in State statutes, we would be on a
course to spend over $38 Billion in the next biennium. Now is the prime
opportunity to reform, revamp, review, and restructure how we provide
services to the people of Minnesota, to eliminate excessive and
redundant bureaucracy in state and local government. The emphasis
should be on returning local control to counties, cities, townships, and
school districts.
In all of this process and deliberation, we
must be mindful of the need to help or allow the private sector to
create the jobs necessary to grow out of this recession. Long term,
sustained economic growth can only be assured through the productivity
and employment within the private sector. The legislature's job should
be to remove barriers and obstructions that stall job growth in
Minnesota. Repeatedly, we are told of jobs leaving Minnesota for other
states or foreign countries where the costs and burden of doing business
are much less than they are here. We have tremendous resources here,
the best of which is our well educated workforce, agricultural
production, forests, minerals, water, recreation, and four definitive
seasons. Our workforce and industry leaders are willing, but the
bureaucracy impedes our efficient development of these resources. The
Federal government also compounds this problem. Corporate taxes,
Environmental Protection Agency rules and restrictions as well as labor
laws and other federal interventions, meant to protect us, drive up our
costs and diminish any technological or competitive advantage we may
have over producers around the globe. In this global economy, America
and Minnesota should lead in productivity and prosperity. It is up to
us to bring about the changes needed to make it happen! But the voters
and citizens have to back us up, to help persuade and convince those
reluctant or resistant to change, that we need to release the productive
potential within us all. Let us all do our part. May God Bless
America!
Ron Shimanski
The best way to contact me is by e-mail: <rep.ron.shimanski@house.mn>
by phone: 651-296-1534 or 1-800-920-5882
by US mail: Rep. Ron Shimanski
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, Mn. 55155-1298
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