Next week, the Minnesota House of Representatives will resume its work after a short Easter and Passover break. Since session began, our main focus has been to address the $6.4 billion budget deficit — keeping an eye to careful spending, strategic cuts, and full utilization of the federal recovery dollars.

At the beginning of every session, deadlines are set for the different stages of committee work. Our first committee deadline was March 27, meaning bills originating in the House had to be completed. To meet this deadline, we heard testimony and took action on hundreds of proposals, working almost around the clock to finish.

Our second committee deadline was this Tuesday, April 7, when House committees were required to be finished with bills that originated in the Senate. By April 16, both House and Senate Finance Committees must complete work on larger appropriations bills, and the final committee deadline before adjournment is May 7, when the conference committee reports must be passed to the floor.

In addition to our committee work, we have also passed some significant legislation on the floor so far this session. These include bills that will create jobs, fund transportation and clean water projects, and lend a helping hand to the thousands of Minnesotans who have lost their jobs by extending unemployment compensation.

Perhaps the most important bill we passed was the Capital Investment bill, identifying $200 million worth of “shovel ready” projects, focused heavily on protecting health and safety, improving transportation and other infrastructure, and preserving state assets. This year’s bill is being characterized as a “basic bonding bill,” designed to create new jobs quickly and make effective use of federal dollars.

Unemployment in Minnesota is at its highest level since 1983. By some estimates, a bonding bill of this size and scope could create thousands of badly needed jobs for Minnesotans. The governor agrees, saying he could support this “reasonable, affordable, targeted, impactful, and stimulative” bill.

The Federal Tax Conformity Conference Committee report we passed last week gives Minnesotans the opportunity to take advantage of tax breaks passed by the U.S. Congress. The report also included changes to the Green Acres program that will restore tax fairness for Minnesota landowners of both agricultural property and non-agricultural property.

The 2009 session is scheduled to adjourn on May 18. Until then, I’ll continue to provide updates on the progress we are making, and the legislation that is passed. Please continue to contact me with your questions and suggestions. As always, it’s an honor to serve. I can be reached at (651) 296-8216, or by e-mail at rep.robin.brown@house.mn.

Robin Brown, DFL-Moscow Township, is the state representative for District 27A.