Reform 2.0 is not a Republican agenda. It is Minnesota’s agenda.

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Roger

Dear Friends,

This week marked the beginning of the 2012 legislative session. This year’s agenda, which we have named Reform 2.0, will focus on government reform efforts that will expand economic freedom, create opportunity and get government out of the way of job creators, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship. We will do this by enhancing the business tax credits, reducing property taxes for small businesses and attempting to eliminate the state portion of the commercial and industrial property tax; an initiative that was vetoed by Governor Dayton last year.

State Representative Roger Crawford

Rep. Crawford is vice chair of the Property and Local Taxes Divison and serves on the follwoing Committees: Taxes, Education Reform, Commerce & Regulatory Reform

After our fight to limit government spending last session, the Minnesota Management and Budget’s (MMB) November Forecast has predicted a surplus for the 2012-2013 biennium. In the face of a $6.2 billion dollar deficit at the start of last session, the Legislature’s prudent fiscal management helped to close the gap and improve our forecast to a now $876 million surplus. By law, this money will be used to fill up state cash-reserve accounts before it can be used for any other purpose; however this is still a huge step toward economic recovery.

This agenda will modernize outdated, rigid public systems that have failed to respond to the evolving needs of Minnesota’s economy and citizens. Some of the reform topics we hope to tackle this session include mandate relief, reducing obstructive commercial regulations, and enhancing property tax relief and credits for Minnesota job creators.

Reform 2.0 is not a Republican agenda. It is Minnesota’s agenda.

I will provide more details on the various initiatives that comprise Reform 2.0 throughout the session. In the meantime, visit www.reform2.mn for more information. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to share your thoughts on the legislative session.  During the session, I can be reached at 651-296-0518 or by e-mail at rep.roger.crawford@house.mn.

Rep. Roger Crawford
District 8B
421 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
(651) 296-0518
1-800-704-8185
rep.roger.crawford@house.mn

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Campaign Kick-off, Open House, Fundraiser

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Roger

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Dayton’s leadership style reactionary in nature

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Roger

Dear Friends,
I read an editorial in the Mpls paper, “Dayton’s first-year marks are high“, and felt compelled to respond. I was limited to 250 words but could have written more. I don’t know if it will be published. The following is what I submitted.
Roger

To the Editor:
As a first term legislator, I view Governor Dayton’s first year performance differently than your recent editorial (1/1/2012).

In 2011, the state’s biggest challenge was a $5 billion gap between proposed spending and anticipated revenue. You were right: Gov. Dayton’s tax increase proposal was “simplistic and anticompetitive.” Minnesotans and the legislature thought so too. He had carried only 28 of 87 counties in the election and his proposal received one vote in the Senate and none in the House.

In February, Gov. Dayton declared we should pledge not to have a government shutdown. However, he did shut state government down, hoping to pressure the Legislature into voting for a tax increase. After 20 days, realizing his tax increase wasn’t going to occur, he agreed to a one time budget increase without raising taxes.  The shut down had been unnecessary. The final agreement could have been achieved without it.

You also correctly criticized the Governor for his ill advised child care unionization power play. Also ill advised was his plan to hold a a two day pre-Thanksgiving Legislative special session to resolve the Viking stadium issue. A steady and focused leader would have put a Viking stadium plan together that had the votes of the Legislature and then called a special session.

Governor Dayton blocked many of the reforms in education and business that were passed by the Legislature. He vetoed 23 bills, twice as many as the previous governor vetoed in four years.  His leadership style has been reactionary in nature, not “steady and focused.” I hope this changes in 2012.

Sincerely,
Roger Crawford District 8B

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Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Roger

Dear Friends,
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and happy, prosperous new year.

The 2012 legislative session is already only about one month from starting. I remain honored to be serving the great people of East-Central Minnesota at the Capitol. It really is a humbling experience and I cannot overstate how much I appreciate the support local folks have provided me during this past year. I look forward to kicking off the new session so we can continue our work in improving the way the state operates, providing tax relief for citizens and businesses and rebuilding our economy.

My door is always open to citizens of District 8B who want to visit my legislative office during the session; call (651) 296-3921 or (651) 296-0518 to set up an appointment. You also can send me your thoughts by email or call me on the phone. My contact information is to the left of this letter.

I will send periodic email updates to let you know what is happening at the Capitol this session, but here are some other House links you may find informative:

● House on Twitter
● House on Facebook
● House on YouTube

Please be safe if you travel this holiday season and I hope you find some extra time to spend with friends and family.

Merry Christmas,
Roger

 

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State Budget Surplus

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Roger

Dear Friends,
We have received our state’s new budget forecast. It calls for a surplus of almost $900 million. This shows new efficiencies and cost-containment measures we enacted this year are working.

There were some incredibly difficult decisions to make at the Capitol in our first year as a majority. It is good to see we not only erased a $5 billion budget shortfall, but also appear to have put our state’s budget on a better course. The budget report also shows Minnesota is outpacing the country as a whole in terms of recovering from the recession.

These are new economic times and I am proud of the work we did this year to help our state get back on track. This is a lengthy process and our work in this area is by no means finished. We are in the process of drafting another round of new bills that will help our state operate more efficiently and make better use of our tax dollars. There are many more areas for us to make improvements. I will pass along more information about those plans as we get closer to the upcoming session.

We are just coming out of a stretch where Minnesota had four consecutive years of budget shortfalls. Our state’s reserve accounts were tapped dry to help make ends meet during those tough times. State law indicates most or all of the projected $876 million surplus must be put toward replenishing the reserves. A news release below from Minnesota Management & Budget below provides more information on this topic.

I want to thank all the people who have continued to offer their support as we worked through extremely tough budget decisions. I look forward to receiving more input as we get ready for the 2012 session.

Sincerely,
Roger

MMB NEWS RELEASE:
Current Law Allocates Entire Balance to Restoring Reserves
St. Paul—Minnesota Management & Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter released the November budget forecast which shows an improvement in the state’s fiscal position. An estimated $876 million dollar balance is projected for the 2012-13 biennium, all of which is used to restore state reserves.

The 2011 fiscal year closed with revenues $358 million higher than expected and expenditures $205 million below prior estimates. Projected revenues for the 2012-13 biennium are expected to be relatively unchanged and projected expenditures are anticipated to be $348 million less. The combination of these factors yields a projected $876 million balance. The majority of projected expenditure reductions are accounted for in the Health and Human Services area.

Long-standing state statute is triggered by this forecast balance, directing this balance to the state’s cash flow account ($255 million) and the budget reserve ($621 million). If the balance were larger, current law would direct the additional dollars to buy-back the K-12 education shift.

“This is obviously good news and a helpful break from recurring budget gaps. It’s also a reminder that Minnesota still has some significant strengths – above average economic performance and the discipline to quickly stabilize its finances. Future risk remains, but at least we now have a cushion,” Schowalter said.

Forecast economic growth is projected down for the remainder of 2011 and 2012 compared to the February forecast but Minnesota continues to slightly outperform the national U.S. economy.The forecast shows a projected deficit of $1.3 billion for fiscal years 2014-15.
A complete report of the November forecast can be found on the MMB website at www.mmb.state.mn.us.

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Property Tax Relief – Top Priority

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Roger

Dear Friends,
A top priority in the 2012 legislative session will be passing a package of bills designed to provide millions in tax relief for homeowners and businesses across Minnesota.

The homeowners’ tax relief especially helps people who saw their local property taxes rise by 12 percent or more in 2012. For those homeowners, the plan increases the percentage of property taxes the state refunds from the current 60% to 90%. It also increases the maximum refund available to already eligible homeowners by 20%.

The best property tax relief is given directly to people who pay property taxes: home and business owners. Our plan provides an approximately 18% cut in the statewide property tax burden for Greater Minnesota commercial/industrial properties, and a 4% reduction for metro area commercial/industrial properties.

One thing we that has become very clear as we look to recover from this recession is the cost of doing business in Minnesota is too high. National retailers have said they are astonished at our tax rates, which are among the country’s highest in terms of commercial industrial property taxes. This puts us at competitive disadvantage with our neighboring states.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and they are the ones who will lead us to a full economic recovery. We have spent the last few months asking citizens, local officials and Main Street businesses what improvements the state can make to help them thrive. Below is some of what we heard and plan to enact in 2012:

  • Freeze the state General Fund inflator starting in FY 2013
  • Start the process of getting the state out of the business of collecting property taxes altogether with a 20-year phase-out
  • Improve the job climate by eliminating the statewide business property tax, one of most burdensome costs of owning a business property
  • Provide the same dollar amount of relief to each business across Minnesota regardless of overall value
  • Fix abnormal increases in homeowner property tax

I will keep you informed as things develop and provide more details as these proposals are firmed up. Please continue to provide me with your thoughts on the issues.

Sincerely,
Roger

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Energy programs; food shelves

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Roger

Dear Neighbor,

I just want to take a minute to pass along some information regarding the Cold Weather Rule and energy assistance programs that are available.

The Cold Weather Rule can protect people from having their heat turned off in the winter if they fall behind on their utility bill. But be advised you MUST contact your utility to apply for this Cold Weather Rule protection when you know you won’t be able to make a payment; it doesn’t just take effect on its own.

This service is available Oct. 15 through April 15 each year. It covers all natural gas and electric utilities. Delivered fuels like fuel oil, propane and wood do not apply.

Energy Assistance also is available for those who meet certain criteria. Lakes and Pines CAC is a private, non-profit outfit that offers assistance for low-income people in our seven-county area. Click here for more.

There also is a ton of information for both assistance and the Cold Weather Rule at the Public Utilities Commission website. Click here or you also can call the Energy Assistance Hotline at (800) 657-3710. Many utility companies also have specific information on programs available on their own websites.

This also is a time of the year when increased demand stretches our food shelves. Your donations always are welcome and the Family Pathways website contains a lot of information if you click here.

Sincerely,
Roger

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Veterans Day

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Roger

Dear Friends,

I will be in the honor guard Friday as we visit Eastwood Senior Living for Veterans Day festivities. It will be nice meeting with local veterans and thanking them for their service.

Times sure have changed compared with when I returned to civilian life after my stint in the Navy. Today’s technology allows veterans to go online to learn about programs and services that are available to them. I want to share a few helpful links and ask people to pass this information along to veterans who may benefit from them. Please take a moment to assist someone who may need a hand with this.

LinkVet
LinkVet, the Veterans Linkage Line for Minnesota veterans, makes it easier for veterans and their families to find services and ensure immediate crisis intervention. During business hours, trained staff from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs will provide information on veterans’ benefits, healthcare, education, and reintegration. The line will roll to Crisis Connection counselors for 24-hour, seven days a week coverage (including holidays) for immediate crisis intervention and psychological counseling. For more information on LinkVet, click here or call 1-888-546-5838.

Minnesota GI Bill
The Minnesota GI Bill program provides postsecondary educational assistance to eligible Minnesota veterans, and to the children and spouses of deceased or severely disabled Minnesota Veterans. For eligibility requirements and financial assistance information, click here or call 651-642-0567.

Email Newsletters
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs now offers e-mail lists to keep you informed of veteran issues in Minnesota. To sign up for the newsletters, click here or call 1-888-546-5838.

Veterans survey
The Minnesota Dept. of Veterans Affairs is seeking input through a survey called “Serving You Better.” The goal is to gain a new understanding for how our veterans use MDVA’s services and programs and to help better serve veterans and their families. Veterans, current service members and families are encouraged to participate. To take the survey, click here and click on the “Serving You Better Survey” button in the upper-left portion of the page.

Sincerely,
Roger

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Chip in Mora & “Reform 2.0 Cambridge”

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Roger

Town Hall with Chip
Chip Cravaack is holding a Town Hall meeting in Mora.
Tomorrow Tuesday, Oct 18, 2011
Freddie’s Restaurant from 7:30-8:30 pm.

Short notice, but I hope to see lots of you there.

 

“Reform 2.0″ – Cambridge MN

MN legislators met with constituents to learn about what reforms are needed by local business owners.

Written by MPR News

Reform 2.0 Cambridge

L-R: House Majority Leader Matt Dean, R-Dellwood; Rep. Kurt Daudt, R-Crown; Rep. Roger Crawford, R-Mora and Sen. Sean Nienow, R-Cambridge. (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)

 

CAMBRIDGE, Minn. – House and Senate Republicans are working up ideas to shrink Minnesota government and change how it operates.

The “Reform 2.0″ tour is taking GOP legislators around the state to hear from constituents and seek affirmation for the ideas they have in mind for the 2012 session.

Some local business leaders and educators gathered this week in Cambridge to tell Republican legislators how they think state government should change.

Don Fiedler, owner of a construction company, said he thinks there are too many regulations for businesses like his.

“We’ve got our men now, the minute they get six feet off the ground, they’re wearing a harness and ropes and tying them to the roof,” Fiedler said. “How do you get any work done with equipment like that?”

Dave Maurer of the Cambridge-Isanti Public School District said the state requires schools to do a great many things without allocating proper funding.

“We had to send out a health notice a few years. Well, between time and the postage and the printing it was going to be between $800 to $1,000,” Maurer said. “Was it necessary? I don’t know, but it was mandated from the state. It’s little things like that.”

The meeting aired more complaints than specific proposals, but the four Republican legislators who led the discussion didn’t seem to mind. They took note of what they heard. Senator Sean Nienow, R-Cambridge, told the audience that the ideas gathered at other meetings will be used to shape legislation for the 2012 session.

“We’re looking for ways to make government better, not just government bigger,” he said. “How to make your jobs easier, how to make your lives better, where we can get out of the way, where we don’t need to be. We’re not going to see all of those, you do.”

Much of the 2012 reform agenda is already set. Republicans made it clear in August that they would emphasize lowering taxes and reducing government regulations.

House Majority Leader Matt Dean, R-Dellwood, said tax code changes are needed to make Minnesota more competitive for business. Dean also pitched to those gathered a proposed constitutional amendment to require a super-majority vote of the Legislature for future tax increases.

“That really has a lot of support across the state,” Dean said. “And I think it’s because it’s kind of common sense, and it’s simple.”

At other meetings, Republican legislators discussed proposals including a repeal of prevailing wage requirements, passage of a right to work law and the dismantling of green energy goals.

House Democrats say they also are interested in government reform. However, DFL House Minority Leader Paul Thissen of Minneapolis is concerned the GOP effort is driven by partisan ideology over than the needs of Minnesota. Thissen said many of the Republican proposals mirror the work of the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council, a group that espouses free market principles, limited government and writes model legislation for states.

“My biggest concern is that it’s not true reform. It’s just a disguise for pursuit of an ideological agenda that is only about cutting government,” Thissen said. “Only about thinking about dollars and cents, and not thinking about what we need as a state to move ahead and how we can work in partnership with each other to make sure that happens.”

Republican leader Dean said Thissen and other Democrats are attempting to portray ALEC as a political bogeyman to help shore up their political base. But Dean said he does use tools from ALEC, as well as other national organizations.

“We need good ideas no matter where they come from,” Dean said. “But what we’re seeing from us here is we’re more interested really in what people across the state of Minnesota are saying.”

Despite emphasis on a constitutional amendment that would bypass DFL Gov. Mark Dayton, Dean said Republicans hope to work cooperatively with the governor to pass some other reform initiatives.

By Tim Pugmire, MPR News
MPR News can be heard on 91.1 FM in the Twin Cities or online atMPRnews.org

 

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Local Meetings Productive

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Roger

Dear Friends,
This is technically the legislative offseason, but I still have been busy meeting with constituents and attending area meetings, including two forums on Tuesday.

One meeting was a discussion of what we can do to help our state operate better through more efficient practices and by creating an environment where small businesses can grow. We are in the process of compiling a package of “Reform 2.0” bills for the 2012 legislative session that will get us pointed in the right direction.

My goal for this meeting was to do more listening than talking, hearing what folks had to say about where we need improvements. Government red tape and regulations seems to be a consistent theme at these Reform 2.0 meetings. Small-business owners are saying they sometimes turn down high-dollar tax incentives because it takes up too much time and effort to reap the benefits. We passed legislation this year to streamline the permitting process, but we need to do far more to clear the way for our entrepreneurs to thrive and create jobs.

The other meeting I attended was hosted by the Kanabec County townships. I provided a recap of the 2011 legislative session. We entered the session facing a $6 billion shortfall and we all were asked to sacrifice in some way. And that’s what happened. No one is 100 percent satisfied with the final result; there is no way to justify the tobacco bonds or K-12 shift that was what was needed to get us out of the shutdown. That’s how our democracy works; it’s not always pretty, but we have two ideologies at work and that’s the way it will be for the foreseeable future.

Property taxes also was a topic I discussed with the townships, particularly how the old homestead tax credit was replaced with a market value homestead exclusion. The new program means, if you had a market value on your house of $76K, you could exclude $30,400 and that would translate into a $304 tax saving.

This is better than the old system because it comes on the front end directly to the taxpayer without having the state get involved with credits and aids that they hadn’t fully paid. This change was supported by League of Minnesota Cities, the Minnesota Inter-County Association and others. There may be some initial glitches in the changeover, but the new system will work out better by making the system more transparent and less complicated. We have the most complicated property tax system in the country and this is one helpful step toward correcting that problem.

Another important meeting is scheduled for Nov. 2 at the Pine County Courthouse in Pine City. I’ll be there, along with two other state Reps. who chair tax-related committees on which I serve. Greg Davids (taxes) and Linda Runbeck (property and local taxes) will join us to talk about taxes and answer any questions. All local elected officials are welcome to join us.

Sincerely,
Roger

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