Lisa Fobbe for Minnesota State Senate, District 16.

Responsible, Authentic, Common Sense Leadership

Fobbe’s legislative agenda reflects area concerns

In the 86th Legislative Session since Minnesota became a state in 1858, freshman senator Lisa Fobbe was the chief author of 41 bills and 3 resolutions, and co-author of 120 additional bills. Nearly all of her proposals have a direct connection with the people and communities of Senate District 16, which is made up of Mille Lacs County and portions of Sherburne, Benton, and Morrison counties.

Sen. Fobbe’s committee assignments also reflect the priorities of her district. She serves on the policy and funding divisions of the Education and Environment and Natural Resources committees, as well as the Agriculture and Veterans Committee.

Veterans

Increased funding for veterans’ homes by 5.1%.

Introduced a bill to provide back pay to returning national

guard members pending federal action.

Enhanced veterans’ preference in state hiring. All state

government job interview lists must include at least five

veterans who served during or after 9/11.

Gold Star license plates will be available for family members

of military service personnel who have died in active military

service.

Designated May 28 as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Day.

Green Acres

Supported full repeal of 2008 changes to the Green Acres

program.

Carrying legislation to lessen impact on those affected by

large increases in property taxes, including extending the

deadline for applications to drop out of Green Acres from

May 1 to August 16, and creating a “circuitbreaker” for ag

land owners whose 2009-payable property taxes increased

by 25% or more.

Agriculture

21st Century Agriculture Reinvestment Program is established to promote the advancement of the state’s agricultural and renewable energy industries.

Extension of the Farmer-Lender Mediation Program. The sunset date of the program is extended to 2013.

Rural Finance Authority Bonds. The Rural Finance Authority (RFA) partners with local lenders to provide affordable credit to eligible farmers.

Education

Special education reform bill that streamlines requirements in an effort at avoiding duplication of efforts and conflicts between state and federal requirements.

Reducing home school mandates by reducing state reporting requirements on homeschool students related to school attendance, testing, immunization records, driver’s permits, and employment certificates.

Rural Residential Speed Limits

Redefines “rural residential districts” and sets speed limits at 35 mph.

Mortgage Foreclosure Scams

Closed the legal loophole that allowed foreclosure scammers to charge up-front fees. It was the only mortgage relief bill to be signed into law by Gov. Pawlenty.

Keeping Predatory Offenders Out of Social Networking Sites

Prohibits sex offenders who are required to register in Minnesota from using Facebook, MySpace, and other Internet groups. Allows unannounced searches of computers used by offenders placed on intensive supervised release.

Outdoors