Melissa Hortman Files to Run for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives

ST. PAUL – State Representative Melissa Hortman filed for re-election this week at the Secretary of State’s Office.  Hortman is seeking her 3^rd term in the Minnesota legislature serving District 47B in Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids.  An Assistant Majority Leader, Hortman said she hopes to continue her role as a leading advocate for education, property tax relief, and energy independence in 2009.

“Effective, responsible government isn’t only about reacting to problems once they occur, it is about taking proactive initiative to seek out long-term solutions,” said Hortman. “In 2009, I will work toward an improved K-12 funding system that is less reliant on property tax levies, a 21^st Century Energy plan that moves us closer to energy independence, and modernizing of our tax code to be more competitive with other states.” 

Hortman was a leading advocate to increase education funding by nearly $850 million over the past two years, but said education funding reform is still needed to improve K-12 education in Minnesota. 

“Minnesota schools are some of the best in the nation, but inflation in health care and energy costs for school districts have outpaced increases in state funding in recent years,” said Hortman. “We need stronger state funding so that we can lessen our reliance on local property tax levies to adequately fund our schools.” 

Hortman has been a strong advocate to protect Minnesota’s air and water from pollution, and was a co-author of the nation-leading renewable energy standard in 2007. She indicated that it’s not only environmental factors that should direct Minnesota toward energy independence.  

“Our need to invest in renewable energy in Minnesota is not only the right thing for our environment, it’s the right thing to keep our economy robust and growing,” said Hortman. “Minnesota is well-poised to capitalize on the green technology boom - we already are the silicon valley of window manufacturing with Andersen and Marvin Windows - and the University of Minnesota is a great attracter of talented faculty and students who create innovations that spin off into Minnesota-based companies like Medtronic and 3M.”

Continuing work on developing a 21^st Century transportation system is another of Hortman’s top legislative priorities. She said the successful legislative efforts to fund safer roads and bridges and the historic move to dedicate funding to transit this year marked the beginning of that endeavor.

“We have to start moving closer toward a 21^st Century transportation system in Minnesota.  That means more transit options for Minnesota commuters and more investment in the key freight corridors,” said Hortman. “I will continue to be a leader in our efforts to expand transportation options and reduce congestion on our highways and freeways to meet the freight and commuter needs of our region.” 

Hortman said reforming Minnesota’s tax code is an issue she hopes to work with legislators on both sides of the aisle on in 2009. 

“Property tax increases over the past five years have unfairly burdened middle-class homeowners with greater tax increases,” said Hortman. “We should be moving to a tax system that more closely correlates an individual’s tax burden with their ability to pay.  The property tax made sense as a mainstay in the past when we were an agrarian society.  We need a modern tax code for our modern economy.” 

Hortman said that it is clear through her discussions with community members in Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids that health care is still a top priority. She supported efforts over the past two years to expand health coverage to over 100,000 more Minnesotans, but said health care is still too expensive for many hard-working families. 

“Health care is either unattainable or unaffordable for over 1 million Minnesotans and the problem will grow without significant health care reform,” said Hortman. “This year we took steps to emphasize prevention in our health care system, which is where we need to go. If we can do a better job preventing serious illness, we can improve not only our health, but reduce health care costs in the long-term for all Minnesotans.” 

Hortman has served Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids in the State Legislature since 2005 and has been an Assistant Majority Leader since 2007.