Eagan Legislators Weigh In Ahead of 2013 Legislative Session

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Budget, budget, budget.

That's what all three of Eagan's newly-elected legislators say will dominate the discussions during Minnesota's 2013 Legislative session. The session begins when the House and Senate convene at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

But that's not the only issue House District 51A Rep. Sandra Masin (DFL), House District 51B Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL) and Senate District 51 Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL) have on their radar this year.

Eagan Patch spoke with each of the legislators late last week to get their thoughts on the upcoming session. Here's what they had to say:

Rep. Sandy Masin (DFL)

Addressing the state's projected $1.1 billion deficit for the next biennium in a "responsible, long-term way" is high on Masin's list of priorities, and the legislator believes that part of answer to Minnesota's budgetary woes lies in the economy.

“If we can get more people working and more people paying taxes and more money into the system that would solve some of the budget problems along the way," Masin said. "We need to deal with the Minnesota budget process and come up with something so we are not going from crisis to crisis every three years."

But Masin anticipates new legislation regarding sex offender treatment programs and polling places. The question of transportation funding may also absorb her time at the Capitol.

Masin will serve on the Transportation Finance; Energy Policy; Labor, Workplace and Regulated Industries committees and as vice-chair on the Transportation Policy Committee.

Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL)

The work of a legislator starts the day after the election, according to Halverson. But that work may hit a new, fevered pace as Halverson, a member of the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee, assists with the rollout of a new new health insurance exchange—required under President Obama's Affordable Care Act.

Halverson's committee will be responsible for opening up a broader discussion about health care reform as they take Gov. Dayton's plan outlines and begin hammering them into workable models, Halverson said.

Halverson was also assigned to the Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee—an assignment she feels is especially fitting, given Eagan strong business community.

"My number one goal at the Capitol is to be a voice for this community, I think folks have felt left out of the system for many many years, because of the partisan posturing, and the acrimony people have seen."

Sen. Jim Carlson (DFL)

While plenty of legislators are already talking about the budget deficit, solutions are in short suppy, according to Carlson. Part of what makes the deficit so difficult to address is a structural imbalance in state finances, in part caused by the state's aging population and increased demand on health care systems.

Like Halverson, Carlson will likely be in the middle of the health care debate, given his position on the Health and Human Services Division of the Senate's Finance Committee. Carlson will also sit on the Commerce, Education, Transportation Finance and Transportation Committees.

Beyond big budget and education funding questions, the Eagan Senator plans to support campaign finance transparency and election registration reforms—including an effort to encourage Minnesota residents applying for a driver's license to simultaneously register to vote. Carlson also expects the legislature to discuss a stronger anti-bullying bill with "teeth" to ensure school districts have adequate policies in place to discourage harassment in schools.

Correction: This article has been modified to correct an error. Sen. Jim Carlson sits on the Health and Human Services Division of the Senate Finance Committee.