Letter: house has accomplished plenty this session

• Rep. Rod Hamilton

Rep. Rod Hamilton R-Mountain Lake

Talk about it

With roughly one month remaining in the 2012 Legislative Session, House lawmakers have approved a number of provisions designed to put people to work, improve our economy, and reform government.

Last session we made great strides towards turning our economy around by controlling future spending by $5 billion. The results of these reforms led to a $5.1 billion deficit becoming a $1.2 billion surplus in less than a year. Over the past three months, we’ve continued to debate, and ultimately approve, more legislation that will improve Minnesota’s fiscal condition.

The highlight was the approval of the Tax Relief and Job Creation Act. Under this plan, Minnesota business owners can expect to see significant relief this year in business property taxes. The plan also includes increases for Minnesota’s Angel Investor Tax Credit, tax credits for hiring unemployed veterans, and funding an internship grant program designed to bring the best and brightest college students to work in rural Minnesota.

There are countless provisions in this comprehensive bill that give job creators the incentive they need to invest money in their business and in new employees. We added nearly 30,000 new jobs in this state in the first two months of the year, and we have significantly reduced our unemployment rate in this state, but we can and will improve on these numbers with the approval of this jobs and tax relief legislation.

The Reform 2.0 agenda, which was largely developed by Minnesotans who shared their ideas and concerns about state government at statewide meetings last fall and winter, is moving steadily through House committees as well.

“There are literally dozens of bills that have either been approved on the House floor, or will be in the next three weeks. All of these measures are designed to improve the way government operates and helps ensure that state resources are being dedicated to those who truly need them.

The House will also approve a capital investment bill, which funds construction projects across Minnesota, in the coming weeks, and would not be surprised if a Vikings stadium bill makes its way to the House floor for a full debate.

Tags: opinion, minnesota, legislature, politics, hamilton