2007-08 Legislative Efforts and Accomplishments

I worked on several important issues for our community and for our state as the chief author of bills during this past legislative session.  In addition, I worked with other representatives from both sides of the aisle as a co-author of bills to help improve our state.  You can find the complete list of bills I authored and co-authored at the Minnesota House Legislative website (see link on the left).  A partial list is described below.

Bills Chief Authored:

• I worked on tax relief for Minnesotans by authoring HF 3030 and HF 157.  The former became law, the latter was modified and combined with other bills to form the foundation of the 2008 property tax relief bill.  I also authored a bill to clarify an exemption for certain mobile equipment for businesses (HF 679).
• I worked to implement governmental reform by authoring HF 1671 that would restrict legislators and some other government officials from lobbying for 2 years after leaving office (HF 1671).  I tried to shine greater sunlight on campaign financing by authoring HF 237 which would require greater reporting of large contributions of money made just before elections.
• I worked to target more education funding to the classroom by authoring HF 649.  This bill took a big chunk out of the special education cross subsidy which has been a growing piece of district 191s budget woes.  It was modified before being passed into law and was a big part of the reason our local schools received more funding than the state average these past 2 years.
• I worked to expand eligibility for Minnesota’s  teacher performance pay program to intermediate school districts.
• I worked with Senator John Doll on a bill to create a special taxing district in the Northwest Quadrant of Burnsville.  With the inclusion of HF 1054 in the Omnibus tax bill passed in February 2008 with overwhelming bipartisan support, Burnsville will be positioned well to redevelop the Northwest Quadrant once the landfills are closed and the quarry stops production.

Bills Co-Authored:

• I worked with Representative Kalin on a resolution for greater openness in Government by requiring the posting of legislative per diem on the legislative website.
• I worked with Representative Wollschlager to provide tax relief for teachers who spend their own money on classroom supplies, military personal and families with higher education costs by passing the 2007 tax conformity bill.  It was the first piece of legislation we passed in 2007.
• I worked across the aisle with Representative Brod to take the politics out of redistricting and expand co-curricular opportunities for charter school students.
• I worked across the aisle with Representative Westrom to initiate new Gold Star  Family license plates.
• I worked across the aisle with Representative Beard to secure state support for the Scott County Public Safety facility.

This web site was prepared and paid for by
The Volunteers for Morgan Committee
PO Box 1773, Burnsville MN 55337-1773