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<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />An Important Message From Representative Bev Scalze <br />Here is a message to Gem Lake residents <br />from our state representative Bev Scalze, <br />who covers district 54B within the State of <br />Minnesota. <br /> <br />"The legislative session, which began on <br />February 4, will be a very busy one. We <br />have been holding committee meetings all <br />through January in preparation for the <br />session, and our focus is on jobs. We have <br />the highest unemployment rate in three <br />decades, and the steep drop in wages <br />have cut another wide gap in the state <br />budget." <br /> <br />"Minnesota has lost more than 130,000 <br />jobs since this time last year in the midst of <br />a national economic downturn than began <br />in 2006-07. Every request that we are <br />examining as we produce our 2010 Capital <br />Investment Bill, needs to report the number <br />of jobs that will be produced and how soon <br />the work can begin. The greatest share of <br />this bonding bill funds our state buildings, <br />and college repair and renovations. <br />Projects like roof repair, window <br />replacement, doors, etc. will be funded by <br />this bill and will put people to work soon <br />after the bill is passed.” <br /> <br />"Our state economist, Tom Stinson, has <br />announced that Minnesota will face <br />another $1.2 billion budget shortfall this <br />year. He also says that the recession will <br />cause another $5.4 billion deficit in the <br />next two-year cycle (not counting <br />inflation), and Minnesota will not see <br />normal economic growth again until <br />2015." <br /> <br />"We will be focusing on balancing the <br />budget and planning for the future of <br />continued economic downturn. This will <br />require major revamping of state <br />government as we know it, and the <br />services that people depend upon will be <br />cut. I have sent out a questionnaire to <br />every home in Gem Lake, and I urge <br />everyone to fill it out and return it to my <br />office. We will send out the survey results <br />to everyone who sent in a questionnaire." <br /> <br />"I will hold a Town Hall meeting with <br />Senator John Marty at Little Canada City <br />Hall on Saturday February 20, 2010 from <br />11:00 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. and I urge <br />everyone to attend and bring your <br />questions and concerns. You can contact <br />me at rep.bev.scalze@house.mn or call <br />651-296-7153." <br />Town Hall Meeting <br />Saturday February 20, 2010 <br />11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. <br />Little Canada City Hall <br /> <br />Gem Lake Residents are Invited <br />to Attend and Bring Questions <br />and Concerns <br /> <br />For more information: <br />bev.scalze@house.mn <br />or 651-296-7153 <br />