Legislative Accomplishments

Capitol Investment/Bonding

  • Secured bonding for local projects including the Rice Street/Highway 36 bridge design, Century College renovations, Metro regional parks, Tamarack Nature Center and University of Minnesota projtects.
  • Authored and passed $600,000 for renovation of the Minnesota Oval in Roseville.
  • Created thousands of Minnesota jobs with early passage of the bonding bill.

Budget

  • Resolved a billion dollar budget gap with no general tax increases.
  • Closed foreign operating corporate tax loopholes.
  • Provided almost $16 million in cost of living adjustments for nursing homes.

Transportation

  • Passed the first comprehensive transportation bill in 20 years with bipartisan support of MN Chamber of Commerce, MN Trucking Association and MN Farmers Union among others.

Health Care

  • Co-authored and passed nation-leading health care reform that will provide accessible, affordable insurance coverage to more Minnesotans, lower costs and, restructure the payment system to better meet patients needs.

Education

  • Re-evaluated states' priorities to provide increased funding for all K-12 public schools resulting in an additional $900,000 for schools in our district.
  • Passed nearly $400 million in higher education bonding projects to keep our colleges and universities on the cutting-edge.
  • Rejected the Governor's higher education budget cuts to limit tuition increases and directed MnSCU to hold tuition increases to 2% - 3%.

Environment, Natural Resources and Energy

  • Authored the Metro Parks capital investment bill to provide funding for regional parks and land acquisition and improvement.
  • Co-authored bills supporting community-based local energy projects and providing grants for design and construction of energy efficient state buildings.
  • Supported a bill that lets voters decide if they want to dedicate a portion of the state sales tax to natural resources, parks and art.

Property Tax Relief

  • Capped property taxes and provided direct property tax relief to homeowners.

Veterans

  • Co-authored legislation expanding assistance and eligibility for the MN GI Bill.
  • Increased combat zone tax credits and helped pass legislation to ensure better delivery of veterans services.

Previous Accomplishments