Robin Brown, Guest Column

A state representative is the voice of the citizens of Minnesota and more specifically the voice of their district. As mother, wife, big sister and teacher, I have spent my life listening, learning, collaborating and advocating. Such is the life of a state representative as well. I am proud to serve District 27A in the Minnesota House of Representatives. I appreciate your priorities, concerns and values. That’s why I have been committed to personally meeting with you at your doors as I visited more than 10,000 homes this year alone.

In my two terms serving you, I have held on to the values my parents taught me such as:

Be frugal – especially with other people’s money.

Be thoughtful – important decisions are best made after you know all the facts.

Be faithful – to your family, your friendships and commitments.

Be responsible – in your words and actions.

Be willing to fight – for those who can’t fight for themselves.

Be kind – to everyone.

My friends remind me that some of the good choices I make as a legislator may go unnoticed, especially since I’m not known for tooting my own horn. I take pride in my low per diem — one of the lowest in the state — and my near 100 percent voting record — having only been absent to bid my son goodbye and welcome home as he left and returned from serving in the U.S. Army for two separate tours of duty in South Korea and Iraq.

Governing is about making choices. Minnesota is facing one of the most serious economic challenges since the Great Depression. I will continue to support a reasonable, fair and responsible approach to balancing our state budget. Now is the time to re-elect state legislators who understand the state budget and have a proven record of making tough decisions required to deal with the budget deficit.

Candidates at all levels of government have stated their opinion about how to solve the current budget deficit of an estimated $6 billion. Some claim they will do it with cuts alone. Please remember that a cut could include removing a program or a tax credit. Others say they will balance the budget with only tax increases.

In my professional view, neither of the above proposals seems reasonable. Our projected $6 billion deficit comes on the heals of the $3 billion budget reduction of last session. We have already begun the process of cuts and reforms and people are feeling the pain.

In my opinion, it will take a combination of revenue enhancements (tax increases) and program reductions (budget cuts) to result in an honest, balanced state budget which is required under our constitution. Priorities need to be established early in the legislative session. I pledge to work collaboratively with our new governor to create a short term solution to our $6 billion projected budget deficit and a long-term solution to economic growth that increases the number of good-paying jobs.

I will continue to research what other states have done successfully that resulted in economic growth as evidenced by my support for a single-factor corporate income tax that will encourage the expansion of our manufacturing base. I will continue to support JOBZ, which has resulted in new and retained jobs in the Albert Lea area. I will continue to vote for fair taxation while continuing my support for my legislative priorities including: quality education, safe roads and bridges, a clean environment, funding for our nursing homes and hospitals and protecting our Minnesota quality of life.

I am moved by the positive response I have received as I personally visited more than 10,000 homes during the last five months. Voters appreciate the way I have provided quality constituent service on a timely basis. Voters applaud the fact that my entire campaign for re-election has been completely positive. I have never run a negative ad, and I have never mentioned my opponent.

Now, more than ever before, is the time for real solutions to the serious issues facing Minnesota. This is not the time for campaigning and governing via political slogans.

You know me. You know I have focused on providing real solutions to the big issues facing Minnesota: quality education for all students, a transportation system that provides safe roads and bridges, affordable health care, clean environment, fair taxation, balanced budgets and economic development that encourages good paying jobs by a profitable business community.

You know my priorities, you know my voting record, you know my work ethic and you know me.

This is state Rep. Robin Brown.

I am asking for your vote on Nov. 2 to continue my good work representing you in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Robin Brown, DFL-Moscow Township, is the incumbent in the race for House District 27A.