Monday, May 13, 2013
Gov. Mark Dayton's office announced a signing ceremony set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14.
As the state Senate passed a bill Monday that will make Minnesota the 12th state in the nation to allow same-sex couples to marry, Woodbury Sen. Susan Kent said the legislation is about “fairness, equality, rights and justice.” The bill passed by 37-30 vote, and Gov. Mark Dayton announced a signing ceremony planned for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. Last week, Woodbury Reps. Andrea Kieffer, a Republican, and JoAnn Ward, a DFLer, both voted in favor of the bill in the lower chamber. Below is Kent’s statement in full: “This bill is about fairness, equality, rights and justice. It is for loving, committed couples who need the protection that marriage provides so they can visit their partner in the hospital and their children have legal and emotional…
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
“The increased income tax on the third tier of Minnesotans would put us at the high end of income tax rates in the nation, and I am unable to support that,” she said.
The DFL-led Senate on Monday passed an omnibus tax bill on its second vote. Sen. Susan Kent, a first-term DFLer who represents parts of Woodbury, voted against the bill twice. By raising income taxes on the state’s highest earners, increasing cigarette taxes and adding sales tax to clothing and some services, the bill would raise an additional $1.8 billion over the next biennium, according to a Pioneer press report. In a statement, Kent said there were a number of positive items in the bill, “but mixed with one primary negative one that I could not support because of the feedback I’ve heard from constituents—the income tax increase on the third tier.” “I appreciate the important and meaningful tax reforms in the bill, including a lower …
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The first-term state senator from Woodbury says she's "happy to be a part of the newly formed 'Purple Caucus,' which is a bipartisan group of legislators dedicated to having a civil conversation to find areas of agreement."
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Wednesday, April 3
As the 2013 legislative session returns to action, I wanted to share a few examples of the many things I’ve learned in my short time in St. Paul and give you an update of what has taken place so far. The first being, Senators apparently lack the ability to make their own copies. I recently stood outside my office making copies and was mocked by several staff members and colleagues that they’ve never seen a Senator make their own copies before. As a former small business owner, I’m used to a different way of doing things! On a more serious note, however, I have been quite impressed with the hard work and dedication of everybody at the Capitol—fellow legislators, staff members and citizens who take time out of their lives to come testify …
Sunday, March 10, 2013
The event, featuring several local elected officials, was held Saturday at City Hill.
MNCD4Conservative posted a YouTube video of a town hall meeting Saturday, March 9, in Woodbury that featured several local elected officials. Attending the meeting, held at City Hall, included: Constituents asked Kieffer to host the joint town hall meeting at her most recent library listening session in Woodbury, according to a pre-event release. Here's a post about the event from a local blogger: Betty McCollum on the Sequester Like Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter
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Woodbury City Hall
8301 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury, MN
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Saturday, March 2, 2013
The DFLer is serving her first term in the state Senate.
Above is a YouTube video of Sen. Susan Kent, who represents Woodbury and parts of Oakdale, posted Feb. 27. Here's her page on the state Senate's website. Like Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter
Friday, March 1, 2013
The event is set for March 9 at the Woodbury City Hall.
State Rep. Andrea Kieffer, a Woodbury Republican, is hosting a March 9 town hall meeting to discuss state and federal issues. The meeting is set for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 9, at City Hall. Sen. Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum, a Democrat who represents Woodbury in the 4th Congressional District, will also be on hand, according to a release from Kieffer’s office. Woodbury Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens and Washington County Commissioner Lisa Weik will also be present for the discussion, as will JoAnn Ward (DFL-Woodbury), according to a release from McCollum’s office. Constituents asked Kieffer to host the joint town hall meeting at her most recent library listening session in Woodbury, according to the …
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Woodbury City Hall
8301 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury, MN
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Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The bill aims further economic development at Tartan Crossing and the Tanners Lake area.
Oakdale's economic development could get a boost in the coming years. Sen. Chuck Wiger and Sen. Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury) recently introduced Senate File 48, which would extend Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts in Oakdale. This would allow further economic development at Tartan Crossing and the Tanners Lake area. “These districts are really important for the entire east metro region,” said Kent, serving her first term as the District 53 senator. “When we are able to develop this area, it will provide a significant return on investment.” The bill would extend the TIF districts to 2030. They are currently set to expire in 2024. “This is designed to continue the revitalization of Oakdale. There has been a great deal of work already …
Friday, February 1, 2013
The bill “gives schools the ability to appropriately balance the needs, wants and resources of their district,” Kent said in a statement.
Woodbury Sen. Susan Kent has introduced a bill that she says will provide spending flexibility for school districts offering all-day kindergarten. The text of the bill, SF162, can be found on the Legislature’s website. Below is a release from her office: State Senator Susan Kent (DFL–Woodbury) introduced her first bill for the 2013 Legislative Session. Sen. Kent’s bill, which provides spending flexibility for school districts offering all-day kindergarten, received a hearing in the Education Finance committee on January 31st. The legislation would allow schools to spend the additional per pupil funding appropriated in the all-day kindergarten bill to meet the needs of three and four year olds in the district. “The bill gives schools the …
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Gov. Mark Dayton unveiled his budget proposal Tuesday.
Woodbury’s lone Republican lawmaker wasn’t impressed, while the city’s two DFL legislators, part of a new majority at the Capitol, say the governor’s proposed budget is a good starting point. Dayton on Tuesday unveiled a proposed state budget and tax plan that would, among other things, lower Minnesota’s sales tax but broaden it to cover more items such as higher-priced clothing, car repairs and other services. He says it would also eliminate the state’s $1.1 billion budget deficit and balance government spending and revenue over the next two fiscal years. Rep. Andrea Kieffer, a Republican in her second term at the Legislature, said Gov. Mark Dayton’s budget “increases taxes all over the place.” “That’s not a big surprise,” she told Patch…
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Sens. Susan Kent and Chuck Wiger, and Reps. JoAnn Ward and Leon Lillie hosted a Jan. 12 town hall meeting in to discuss priorities for the legislative session.
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Thursday, January 17
We thank everyone who participated at our town hall meeting on Saturday, January 12th. It is great to hear from constituents. We sincerely appreciate hearing your concerns as we begin the new legislative session. We especially want to thank Washington County Commissioner Ted Bearth and District 622 School Board Member Steve Hunt for participating in the meeting. It is important we work together and listen to various viewpoints before making decisions at the Capitol. These forums allow us to connect with people in our districts and hear directly from voters. This year, one of the top priorities is to put Minnesota’s budget on a sustainable path forward, and hearing citizens’ concerns helps put the budget in perspective for us. Additional …
Jim
2:02 am on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
That never crossed my mind...good point !! more ›