News & Views: Session Report for 2007 and 2008

Some of Rep. Lanning’s 2007-08 Initiatives

Morrie authored legislation helping to secure funding for:

• Border City credits and incentives for existing and new business development;
• $16.6 million in capital improvement projects for MSUM and MSCTC;
• The third phase of the Oakport Dike Project;
• The pre-design of a multi-county regional chemical dependency facility and correctional center serving Clay County and the West Central Minnesota Region; and
• A pilot program to assist individuals in moving from public assistance to self-sufficiency.

Morrie authored legislation that proposes to:

• Fund the establishment of new healthy community initiatives in Minnesota and provide support for existing initiatives like Moorhead’s;
• Increase debt service equalization aid to school districts that would provide over one million dollars in additional aid to the Moorhead School District;
• Establish river basin boards throughout Minnesota in order to better address flooding, water quality, and water supply issues; and
• Provide grants to community action agencies to provide assistance to qualifying low income individuals to repair or purchase vehicles in order to have transportation to their jobs.

In his service on various Legislative Commissions and Boards, Morrie has worked to:

• Develop a plan to eliminate poverty in Minnesota by 2020 by helping people achieve economic self-sufficiency, build financial and developmental assets, and overcome barriers to rising out of poverty;
• Protect and preserve the Great Lakes;
• Plan the development of the State Capitol complex and the restoration of the Capitol building;
• Review and ratify the state’s contracts with employee groups; and
• Address issues of mutual interest and concern of legislators from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba.

2007-08 Legislative Accomplisments

Legislative accomplishments supported by Morrie in 2007-08 include:

• Balancing the state’s budget without raising income or sales taxes;
• Providing increased funding for education, aids to cities and counties, nursing homes, and veteran’s programs;
• Establishing a new renewable energy standard and advancing the use of alternative sources of energy;
• Providing more property tax relief to more taxpayers; and
• Enacting significant health care reform aimed at lowering health care costs.

2009-10 Legislative Agenda

Morrie will continue work to:

• Increase base funding for K-12 education;
• Increase base funding for public higher education and strengthen student financial aid;
• Provide property tax relief;
• Promote energy conservation and renewable sources of energy;
• Enact additional measures to contain health care costs;
• Improve the climate for creating and retaining jobs in Minnesota;
• Find ways to help people move out of poverty and achieve economic self-sufficiency; and
• Maintain spending discipline so that sufficient resources are available to fund the highest priorities and protect the most vulnerable citizens.