Letter to the Editor: Rep. Anderson Has Fulfilled Promises to Spur Economic Growth

How is our State Representative, Diane Anderson, doing? Did she follow through on what she promised to do?  I want to focus on an important aspect of Diane’s first term–improving the state’s economy. I believe that she has kept her promises and helped to improve Minnesota’s economic climate.  Rep. Anderson did “hold the line” on taxes and spending and promoted a much friendlier business climate.

In November 2010, the DFL led legislature left a projected $6.2 billion dollar deficit and an unemployment rate of 7.1 percent for our Republican legislature to solve.  Governor Dayton and the Democrats proposed a large increase in state spending and tax increases. Rep. Anderson and the legislature voted against the tax increase and held the spending down. She felt that taxpayers can not afford any added burdens and wanted to avoid a budget crisis such as the ones in California and Illinois.

In her endeavor to foster a more business friendly climate, Rep Anderson authored several bills to help ease some government regulations. She authored a bill which added clarity to current statute for state chartered banks and authored another bill streamlining the electronics insurance process and requirements.  The governor signed both of these bills into law.

As of this February, Minnesota has seen a $7.4 billion dollar budget turnaround to a $1.2 billion surplus and a 1.5 percent decrease in state unemployment to 5.6 percent. I believe the Republicans did a great job with our state budget.

Governor Dayton vetoed tax relief for job creators, families, property owners, renters, companies that hire veterans, and tax breaks for new capital and investment.  Dayton also vetoed a bill to pay back the schools.  In this session Diane voted for the bill to use $430 million dollars of the surplus money to pay back the schools.  She feels this is the best use of the surplus money.

Much progress has been made but more needs to be done.  If this state is to continue on its road to recovery, I feel Rep. Diane Anderson has consistently followed a successful way to keep Minnesota on this path. 

Chuck Stanek

Eagan Resident