By Sen. Dan Sparks

This was a very busy week at the state capitol. The week began with Gov. Mark Dayton’s State of the State address. Each year, these speeches give us the opportunity to reflect on how Minnesota is doing, where there have been successes, and touch on areas that still require improvement. One of the Governor’s line’s really stood out to me:

“When I took office in 2011, there were 202,000 Minnesotans unemployed. Since then, our growing businesses have added 255,400 jobs. Our state’s unemployment rate has been at or below 4 percent for the past 30 months. And there are more jobs in Minnesota now than ever before.”

Promoting economic development and access to good jobs in Southern Minnesota is one of the most important things I work on as a legislator. And, while I am happy about how the economy has improved in the State as a whole over the past six years, too many people are still struggling to get ahead. Some regions of the state are still facing high unemployment and stagnant wages. That is why I am supportive of many aspects of the Governor’s budget, which he also released last week. I appreciate its focus on cutting taxes for Minnesota families and partnering with businesses and entrepreneurs to create new jobs.

I am very supportive of the tax cut plans with over $300 million in relief for middle-class Minnesotans and their families. In particular, I am supportive of expanding and increasing the working family tax credit — targeting help to working class men and women. I also like the increased child care tax credit — tripling the number of families who would be eligible to receive a credit. Access and affordability of child care is a big issue across greater Minnesota and this will help.

Another important component that needs to get done is a significant tax cut for farmers. Farm property taxes in Minnesota have increased 114 percent in the last decade. This problem has been compounded by low commodity prices and high agricultural land values. To help relieve property tax burdens on Minnesota farmers, the governor’s proposal is a credit worth $34 million for owners of agricultural property equal to 40 percent of their property taxes attributable to school district debt levies.

A strong economy requires infrastructure that is efficient, effective, and accountable to the people that pay for it. To maintain the quality of life we deserve, we must repair roads and highways that are crumbling and modernize our water systems in a smart way so that we truly get what we pay for. The budget proposal’s funding plan would repair or replace 1,700 miles of roads and 235 bridges statewide, and includes funding for railway infrastructure improvements — which help increase safety and spur economic development.

In the coming months, we will be presented with additional, alternative budget proposals. The Governor’s budget offers the legislature a solid starting point that includes many of our shared priorities. I have heard from my constituents about your priorities, and I am committed to working toward greater tax relief and more money to fix and improve our roads and bridges.