| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 26, 2001 | Jessie Roos (651-296-9719) |
ST. PAUL State Representative Carl Jacobson (R-Vadnais Heights) released the results of his 2001 legislative questionnaire this week. He received more than 1000 responses to the survey, which he plans to do an annual basis.
"I am extremely pleased with the response," said Representative Jacobson. "To me, knowing what my constituents feel about the issues I vote on at the State Capitol is one of the most important parts of representing them. The survey results will guide my priorities as a legislator."
The survey focused on the priorities constituents felt Jacobson should set, as well as how the people of the area would measure his success. "As a first-term legislator, I felt it was important to ask my constituents what they thought represented success," Representative Jacobson said. "The results are very helpful to me and I appreciate everyone who contributed."
While there was no clear majority on what the people of District 53B felt the number one priority of the Legislature should be this year, 29 percent of the respondents favored tax cuts, 15 percent felt spending should be increased, 12 percent felt spending should be reduced, and 11 percent favored a full rebate of the state's surplus. Other responses included reforming the property tax system, reducing crime, expanding the senior prescription drug program, increasing jobs, and decreasing bottlenecks.
"The top three responses to the question regarding measuring my success as a legislator indicated that people want me to work to downsize programs, enact the solutions I proposed in my campaign, and find some political common ground," said Representative Jacobson. "I will do my best as your representative to balance the ideas the results of my survey have shown."
If you would like to receive a copy of the results, please contact Representative Jacobson's office at 651-296-7153 or e-mail him at rep.carl.jacobson@house.leg.state.mn.us.
Jacobson is in his first term as a legislator, representing House District 53B which includes the communities of Gem Lake, Little Canada, Maplewood, North Oaks, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, and White Bear Township. He serves on the House Health & Human Services Policy Committee as well as the full Tax Committee and Sales & Income Tax Division of the Tax Committee.
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