March 9, 2005

JUHNKE PRAISES FOCUS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY IN STATE OF THE STATE, SAYS HE WISHES GOVERNOR OFFERED MORE ON EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, TRANSPORTATION

While he was glad to see the Governor getting behind bold initiatives to increase the use and production of renewable fuels in Minnesota during his State of the State address, State Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) said he wished Governor Tim Pawlenty would have proposed more concrete ideas and policies to help move the state ahead when it comes to issues like education, health care, property taxes and transportation.

"There were some good things in the speech, like the call for a 25/25 policy when it comes to renewable energy or the commitment to pass clean water and conservation initiatives," Juhnke said. ""Hopefully, the Governor will bring along his GOP colleagues in the House, which is so important when it comes to advancing policy or the commitment necessary to getting these things passed.

"There was also quite a bit missing in the speech. He talked about the importance of good schools, affordable health care or investing in our transportation system, but there weren't any concrete proposals that would actually help in those areas, particularly when it comes to Rural Minnesota."

Juhnke pointed to two education proposals the Governor offered as good examples.

"The Governor talked about the need for school vouchers and his 70 percent mandate," Juhnke said. "Neither is going to help rural schools a bit. In fact, the 70 percent mandate (which mandates that 70 percent of school funding must be spent in the classroom) is likely to hurt smaller, rural schools that have less flexibility when it comes to things like transportation or overhead."

Juhnke said he hoped that the Governor's support for a 25/25 renewable energy initiative, which would mandate that 25 percent of the energy sold in the state come from renewable sources, and his call for an end to the marriage penalty in Minnesota taxes would help ease the logjam over the issues in the House.

"We had broad DFL support for both issues last year," Juhnke said. "In fact, the Senate passed a bill to eliminate the marriage penalty last year, but it was defeated by Republicans in the House. Hopefully, the Governor's support will help us pass both this year because they would both be good for Minnesota."