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Melissa Hortman

District:		47B
Party:		DFL
Residence:		Brooklyn Park, MN
Web site:		www.melissahortman.com

Statement from the candidate:
The north metro has three major problems that the State Legislature has failed to adequately address: (1) a high property tax burden for homeowners, (2) unfairly low school funding compared to the south and west metro areas, and (3) traffic congestion and gridlock. The north metro needs investment in its transportation infrastructure - most importantly in finishing 610 and getting Northstar Commuter Rail running. Better transportation will bring commercial development, which will lighten homeowners' property tax burdens, bring more funds for schools, and it will get us out of traffic. Melissa will get the job done by working across party lines to form a North Metro Coalition - which will put the needs of the North Metro area above party loyalty. The partisan gridlock of the last few years has failed the north metro area, and it is time for a new approach.


Biography:
Born and raised in the north metro (Spring Lake Park, Andover)
Graduate, Blaine High School, with honors
BA, Boston University, with high honors
While in college, Melissa ran a student community service organization (serving Habitat for Humanity, Deaconess Hospital, and Books for South Africa, among others).
Worked for Sen. Al Gore and Sen. John Kerry in Washington DC
Volunteered in Washington D.C. public schools as a reading tutor.
JD, University of MN Law School, with honors
Served on Brooklyn Park Human Relations and Citizens Long-Range Improvement Committees; and the Board of Directors for Business Democrats, Minnesota Women's Political Caucus, and Free2B! (a charity which provides vehicles and vehicle repairs to Anoka County families).
Vice President and General Counsel, John's Auto Parts
Member, MetroNorth and North Hennepin Chambers of Commerce
Member and Sunday School teacher, Church of St. Timothy
Girl Scout Leader
Married, with two children and one very friendly dog

On the Issues:

Should increased taxes be considered as part of a solution to a projected budget deficit?		Yes
Should gambling be expanded in Minnesota to generate new revenue for the state?		No
Should state funds — directly or indirectly — be used to build new sports facilities for the Twins and Vikings?		Yes
Do you support Gov Pawlenty's JOBZ zones program?		Undecided
Should K-12 spending in Minnesota be curtailed in order to balance a projected budget deficit?		No
Should a constitutional amendment be presented to voters that would ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota?		No
Should the state spend money for expanding mass transit options in Minnesota?		Yes
Should there be additional restrictions on abortion in Minnesota?		No
Should the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which seeks to protect wildlife habitat and wetlands by paying farmers for taking marginal lands out of agriculture production, be supported?		Yes
Should the state's subsidized health care program be trimmed in order to reduce a projected budget deficit?		No