[Mpls] RE: TIF and NRP- lets keep the calls and visits comming!

[seango]

Message sent by Sean Gosiewski, Corcoran Neighborhood   Please see new action alert below Rep. Kelliher's message. THANKS   Date: Sat, 19 May 2001 11:27:23 -0500 From: "Margaret Kelliher" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Mpls] TIF and NRP Greetings list members, A bit of feedback on the TIF e-mails and phone calls, I have heard = positive comments from my colleagues on the Tax Conference Committee who = have received many concise and polite contacts on this issue.  Keep up = your good work.  We will keep working on getting the people's business = done here in St. Paul. My best, Margaret Anderson Kelliher District 60A, State Representative   May 23, 2001 Update/ Action Alert from the Minneapolis Center for Neighborhoods, 612-339-3480 (with some text provided by NRP) RE: The Ombibus Tax Bill, Tax Increment Financing and future funding for NRP & Affordable Housing Included in this message BACKGROUND UPDATE KEY MESSAGE TO CONVEY WHO TO CALL, FAX or VISIT DETAILED LOBBYING MESSAGE FROM NRP OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION A. BACKGROUND In 1990, the Legislature mandated the reservation by the MCDA of $20,000,000 per year in TIF and other revenues for 20 years for the establishment and implementation of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP). Minneapolis, its neighborhoods and residents kept their end of the bargain, identifying neighborhood priorities, completing plans, developing solutions, and implementing Phase I of the Program. The Minnesota State Senate and State House have now both recently passed tax bills which will radically alter the structure of Tax Increment Financing, or TIF. As you may know, TIF is the primary funding source for NRP, and these changes may dramatically alter the future of NRP funding for neighborhoods. Fortunately, supporters of NRP in the state legislature have been able to add provisions to the Omnibus Tax Bill (a comprehensive bill which essentially combines all tax alterations being considered) which will preserve the NRP. But Anti-tax groups are lobbying hard to remove these provisions, and the future of NRP is in doubt. The State House and State Senate have assigned a small number of their members to a Conference Committee which will work out differences between the Senate and House versions of the Omnibus Tax Bill. This small committee will have a tremendous influence on the outcome of this future of TIF and the future of NRP. B. UPDATE The Senate and House failed to work out their compromises during the regular session. The Governor will be calling a special session (probably later in May or in early June.) Senate and House leaders will be working over the next week to work out the language which they will bring into the special session for approval by the House and Senate. C. KEY MESSAGES TO CONVEY Neighborhood leaders can make a difference by contacting the key people from the Senate, House and Executive Branch, who will be involved in negotiations for the Omnibus Tax Bill. We need to continue to send clear information to these negotiators on the Benefits of the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program Need for more affordable housing in the Twin Cities, and the Importance of maintaining the TIF funding for NRP and for Affordable Housing (for both cities & suburbs) When calling or visiting legislators, and the Executive Branch please... Keep your message brief and to the point. Do not talk about other issues. Do not get angry or vindictive--these are all potential supporters. Thank them for their time and work on this issue.   D. WHO TO CALL, FAX or VISIT KEY EXECUTIVE BRANCH LEADERS to contact Commissioner Matt Smith, Department of Revenue, Revenue Dept, 600 North Robert St, 4th Floor St Paul, MN 551467100 Phone 651/296-3403 , Fax 651 297-5309, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Governor Jesse Ventura Governors Office, 130 State Capitol, 75 Constitution St Paul, MN 55155 Phone 651/296-3391, Fax 651/296-2089 [EMAIL PROTECTED]   KEY SENATE LEADERS to contact Roger D. Moe (DFL- Erskine) Majority Leader , District 2, 208 Capitol, 75 Constitution Ave St. Paul, MN 55155-1606 (651) 296-2577 [EMAIL PROTECTED] John C. Hottinger (DFL-Mankato) Assistant Majority Leader, District 24, 205 Capitol, 75 Constitution Ave St. Paul, MN 55155-1606 (651) 296-6153, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Very influential with Republicans, very knowledgable on TIF Lawrence J. Pogemiller (DFL- NE Mpls) District 59, 235 Capitol, 75 Constitution Ave St. Paul, MN 55155-1606 Phone (651) 296-7809 Fax 651-296-6511 [EMAIL PROTECTED] , Legislative Aide- Patty Reichert Senate Tax Committee Chair, has been working closely with Bob Miller to ensure the TIF funding base for NRP is maintained in the Senate Omnibus Tax Bill. Is lead negotiator to ensure that the final Omnibus Tax Bill keeps the language that maintains the TIF funding base for NRP. Ann H. Rest (DFL-New Hope) District 46, G-24 Capitol, 75 Constitution Ave. St. Paul, MN 55155-1206 Phone (651) 296-2889, Fax 651-296-6511 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Appointed to Tax Conference Committee. Very supportive of TIF and maintaining NRP. Will work with the sub group of the conference committee that will finanlize the TIF language in the Omnibus Tax Bill Full List of Senators appointed to the Tax Conference Committee Lawrence Pogemiller* (DFL) Telephone 651-296-7809 Fax 651-296-6511 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ann Rest* (DFL) Telephone 651-277-4176 Fax 651-296-6511 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Don Samuelson (DFL) Telephone 651-296-4875 Fax 651-296-4135 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Don Betzold (DFL) Telephone 651-296-2556 Fax 651-296-6511 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Bob Lessard (I) Telephone 651-296-4136 Fax 651-296-5241 [EMAIL PROTECTED] KEY HOUSE MEMBERS to contact Ann Lenczewski (DFL-Bloomington) 40B 337 State Office Building Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155 (651) 296-4218 [EMAIL PROTECTED] The one House DFLer appointed to the House/Senate Tax Conference Committee. Supportive of the Tax Increment Financing needed for Affordable Housing and NRP. Full List of Representatives appointed to the Tax Conference Committee Ron Abrams (R) Telephone 651-296-9934 Fax 651-297-2668 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dan McElory* (R) Telephone 651-296-4212 Fax 651-296-3949 [EMAIL PROTECTED] William R. Kuisle (R) Telephone 651-296-4378 Fax 651-297-2668 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Roxann Daggett (R) Telephone 651-296-4293 Fax 651-296-3949 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ann Lenczewski* (DFL) Telephone 651-296-4218 Fax 651-297-8128 [EMAIL PROTECTED] E. Detailed Lobbying Message from Bob Miller, NRP When calling these legislators please... Keep your message brief and to the point. Do not talk about other issues. Do not get angry or vindictive--these are all potential supporters. Thank them for their time and work on this issue. Tell them what NRP has done... Phase I investments have improved the housing stock and revitalized neighborhoods through economic development. Minneapolis neighborhoods worked hard to make sure plans and the infrastructure to implement them are in place for Phase II of the Program (2001 –2009). Now it is important for the Legislature keep its side of the bargain. And ask them to... Support Article 12, Section 46 of the Senate version of the Omnibus Tax Bill. It assures that $60,000,000 in unspent but obligated NRP funds are available to neighborhoods to carry out their approved plans. Without this amendment, the NRP loses these reserved funds. If Article 12, Section 30 of the House version of the Bill prevails, make sure section 469.1792, subdivision 4, clause (3) is included. Clause (3) permits the special legislation authorizing the funding for the NRP to be exempt from the limitations of the provision. Without clause (3) most future funding for the NRP ceases to exist. Article 2 of the House version contains class rate reductions and funding shifts that would result in an annual loss of $21,250,000 in TIF revenues to the MCDA, substantially threatening the funding source for the NRP. This is a provision that we cannot support. F. OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO Spread the word and ask others to make calls. Pay a visit to the legislature this weekend. Visit the offices of the legislators listed above, and leave a note with their assistants. Let them know that this is important enough to you that you have taken time out of work (play, family time, etc.) to come down and talk to them. Even better, ask if you can send a note in to one of the conferees listed above, and ask them to come out and briefly talk with you. If you are a constituent of theirs, let them know on the note! Invite neighbors and other members of your neighborhood group to go down to the capitol for a visit and to show support for NRP. Wear your block patrol uniforms, your neighborhood garden club t-shirts, or other neighborhood emblems!     G. WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION Minneapolis NRP Program, Bob Miller, 673-5141 , [EMAIL PROTECTED] MCDA, Keith Ford, 673-5013, [EMAIL PROTECTED] , Jack Kryst, 673-5130, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Minneapolis Center for Neighborhoods, Sean Gosiewski, 612-339-3480, [EMAIL PROTECTED] MN State Legislature Web Site- http://www.leg.state.mn.us To discuss the pending Special Session, join Minnesota Politics Discuss. Send e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Minnesota Politics- moderated announcement-only e-mail list: [EMAIL PROTECTED]