The Minnesota Legislature completed its most productive session in years by balancing the budget and finishing on time. Senate District 7 can be proud of your Senator, Yvonne Prettner Solon, for her role in the renewed spirit of bipartisan cooperation. We accomplished many of our goals in spite of a lagging economy that put almost a billion dollar hole in the state budget.
Minnesotans sent a clear message to legislators to unite our state and make it stronger and more prosperous. Sen. Prettner Solon made a difference for Duluth by taking action on transportation, health care reform, clean water, property tax relief and a capital investment/jobs bill. By setting priorities and making hard choices we even found a way to put $51 more per student into our public schools. For example, the Duluth school district will receive $560,000 in additional funding.
Sen. Prettner Solon played a key role in this year's productivity. She approaches her work at the Legislature with the best interests of Minnesota in mind. Sen. Prettner Solon sets partisan differences aside and focuses on finding solutions and common ground. As a result, her work will have a big impact on the Duluth area. Notable in the accomplishments this year is $38 million in bonding for the DECC, expansion of patient access to physical therapy, and bonding money for UMD's new civil engineering building.
As Chair of the Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications Committee, Senator Prettner Solon is also a leader for groundbreaking environmental initiatives. She successfully passed into law new requirements for state-bonded buildings that will improve energy efficiency and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
By focusing on the state's most fundamental needs, we positioned Minnesota to be better prepared to meet the challenges ahead. Still, the state's soft economy means we likely have a rough road ahead. It is reassuring to know that returning senators like Sen. Prettner Solon will bring back with them a proven track record of leadership and problem solving.
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Larry Pogemiller
Senate Majority Leader
