Welcome

Thanks for visiting my website and for the privilege of serving you in the State Senate.

After a hard campaign last year, the November election delivered a Republican majority to the Minnesota Senate for the first time in nearly forty years. Shortly after, and with much humility and gratitude, I accepted the role of the Minnesota’s first female Majority Leader (our caucus then selected the first women ever to serve as Senate President and as Chairs of the Tax and Finance Committees).

After the celebration died down, we quickly moved to address our priorities of jump starting Minnesota’s economy and right-sizing our government. We worked with leadership in the House to streamline the existing committee structures for increased transparency and accountability. Then our caucus followed up by cutting per diem allowances by 10%, demonstrating that not even the legislative budget would be immune from needed review.

We addressed Minnesota’s regulatory climate by passing legislation to reduce regulation and permitting time, and voted to overturn Minnesota’s decades old ban on the construction of new nuclear power plants that could prove vital to the future of our manufacturing sector. Following the release of the state budget forecast, we’ll begin the daunting task of balancing a budget estimated to be over $6 billion in the red.

In reality, Minnesota’s revenues are expected to modestly increase over the next biennium. The projected deficit is the result of the runaway annual growth rate of a government that has abandoned sound fiscal practice. In his version of the budget, Governor Dayton has proposed that Minnesota adopt the highest income tax rates in the nation to cover the bulk of the shortfall. Aside from arguments both economic and ethical against the Governor’s strategy, it fails to address the root cause of the problem- unsustainable spending.

This budget crisis, while daunting, provides an opportunity for honest dialogue and real reform. Achieving sustainability in our state government will require a sustained and deliberate effort against entrenched special interests. You can help by educating family and friends on the issues, writing letters to your local newspaper, and participating respectfully in online discussions.

May the remainder of 2011 bring you and your family health, prosperity, and good cheer. Please feel free to contact me at any time either by email: (sen.amy.koch@senate.mn), telephone: (651) 296-5981, or by mail: 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Capitol Bldg., Room 208, St. Paul, MN 55155-1606.

Sincerely,

Amy Koch