State Representative
Carol Molnau

ST. PAUL State Representative Carol Molnau (R-Chaska) and Senator Claire Robling (R- Prior Lake) released the results of their 2000 legislative questionnaire this week. They received more than 600 responses to their annual survey.

"I am extremely pleased with the response from our constituents," said Rep. Molnau. "Getting people involved in the process is key to having an effective and responsive Legislature. At this time last year, everyone was focusing on the budget and the continuing state surplus, and the results were the largest tax cuts in state history. This year, additional tax cuts, transportation, and education seem to be on people's minds. I think the next few weeks will be a very exciting time in Minnesota's government."

Taxes and education drew strong opinions from survey respondents. When asked how the Legislature should address the eight years of consecutive budget surpluses, people overwhelmingly favored additional tax cuts. Permanently reducing taxes received 41 percent, while rebating the money received 28 percent. An additional 22 percent supported spending the money on either transportation or education.

"Although Minnesotans consistently lobby for significant tax reductions, education is clearly still a top concern," Sen. Robling commented. "The state's new graduation requirement and the Profile of Learning continue to be the hot education topics this session. Just this week, committees in both the House and the Senate approved significant changes to the current program."

More than 42 percent of respondents favored the elimination of the Profile of Learning, while an additional 22 percent favored modifying the current Profile requirements. Another 14 percent of respondents wanted school districts to have the option of not participating. A number of survey participants also stated that they did not feel they had enough information to express an opinion on the issue.

"Respondents also felt that the Legislature should work to reduce the regulations and red tape for our farmers," Rep. Molnau continued. "They felt this was the best way we as a state could address the continuing agriculture crisis facing the state's farming communities and economy. They also felt cutting the taxes would help the situation."

The survey's unicameral question received what could be considered the most interesting results. Twenty-two percent of respondents were undecided on the issue, which is unusually high for a major legislative issue. The remaining respondents were equally divided in support of and against the proposal to create a one-body legislative system in Minnesota.

"Representative Molnau and I agree with the opinions our constituents expressed in the survey results," Sen. Robling said. "Tax cuts, adequate funding for transportation, the quality of education, and the crisis facing our rural communities should be the top priorities of this session."

If you would like to receive a copy of the results, please contact Rep. Molnau's or Sen. Robling's office. Rep. Molnau represents District 35A, which includes the areas of Chaska, Belle Plaine, Waconia, New Germany, Carver, Cologne, and Mayer. She can be contacted at (651) 296-8872. Or, write her at 443 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55155, or rep.carol.molnau@house.leg.state.mn.us

Sen. Robling represents all of District 35, which includes Representative Molnau's area as well as the surrounding communities of Shakopee, Prior Lake and Jordan. She can be contacted at (651) 296-4123. Or write her at 151 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55155 or sen.claire.robling@senate.leg.state.mn.us

###