State Representative
Rich Stanek

ST. PAUL State Representative Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove) announced the results of his 2002 constituent survey this week. The questionnaire asked residents of Rep. Stanek's district about a number of issues, including transportation, health care, education, and the state budget.

"First, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to my constituent survey," said Rep. Stanek. "Hearing the opinions and views of my constituents on important issues such as these helps me to better represent them at the Capitol."

When asked about the state budget deficit, nearly forty percent of respondents felt that cutting or freezing government spending should be the first way for the Legislature to address the shortfall. Almost twenty percent felt that spending should be held to no more than the rate of inflation, while fifteen percent agreed that the state's budget reserves should be tapped. Fourteen percent of respondents wanted to institute a state hiring freeze, while a mere thirteen percent wanted to see tax increases to reduce the budget deficit.

"The vast majority of people felt that raising taxes should be a last resort in the current budget shortfall," commented Stanek. "That is the same approach we have used in the House so far this session. We have balanced the budget through 2003 by cutting spending, using reserves, and reducing inflation not burdening Minnesotans with more taxes."

In the area of transportation, 59 percent supported the proposed Northstar Commuter Rail project, while 62 percent of respondents supported using bonding money to fund the Northwest Corridor express busway from Minneapolis to Rogers. "The Northwest Corridor busway received $4 million in bonding from the House from a request which I authored," reported Stanek. "It is my hope that this project will help to ease the sever traffic congestion along County Road 81."

Respondents were almost evenly split on whether to expand a current law to allow citizens with extensive training to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun under a uniform statewide standard. Opinions were also split on the issue of whether or not to support an increase in Minnesota's gas tax to provide money for transportation projects across the state.

Unlike the previous two issues, several questions on Rep. Stanek's survey produced very clear results. Respondents were overwhelmingly opposed to using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion, with 74 percent of people responding "no." Likewise, 73 percent of people felt that the Legislature should not approve the new state employee contracts with same-sex domestic partner benefits.

"When asked what the most important health care issue in Minnesota is right now, half of the respondents responded with the cost of health insurance," said Stanek. "This is an issue that we have been working on very hard in the House." Stanek also added that 57 percent of people felt class size reduction was the best way that the Legislature could use state education dollars.

"Each year, the responses that people send me for my surveys help me to be a better representative for the people of my district," said Rep. Stanek. "I would also urge residents to contact me if they would like a complete set of survey results."

Rep. Stanek can be reached at 543 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155; by phone at (651) 296-5502; or by e-mail at rep.rich.stanek@house.leg.state.mn.us. To receive periodic updates on the legislative session, visit www.house.mn/33B and click on "Email updates."

###