With the 2008 legislative session beginning next week, State Sen. Julianne Ortman took a few minutes to answer some questions from the Jordan Independent.

Name:Julianne Ortman

Age: 45

Senate district: 34

Residence: Chanhassen

Party affiliation: Republican

Committees: Taxes (minority lead), judiciary, economic development

JI: What are your top goals for the coming legislative session?

JO: The economy is the biggest issue going back into session. This is not a budget year, but a bonding year. The focus will be on making investments in the state's infrastructure – I expect a large portion of the bonding bill will be dedicated to roads and bridges.In addition, I believe we need to revise the state remedy of foreclosure to address the economic crisis that has affected tens of thousands of Minnesota families in 2007. We can adjust the legal remedy and process to improve the relationship between lenders and borrowers.

I also continue to work on changing the state's expungement statute to expand the scope of authority for our state courts' judges in sealing criminal records when an applicant can establish that they have been rehabilitated and pose no threat to public safety. It is in all our best interests to create a system that rewards people who address their problems, educate themselves, get a job, qualify for housing, and provide for their families.

JI: Do you support additional funding for transportation issues? If so, what specific ideas do you have regarding from where that money would come?

JO: I do not believe that this is the time to raise taxes. Minnesotans cannot shoulder the additional burden. That said, we will dedicate a great portion of our bonding bill to improving roads and bridges.

I would be inclined to support new funding for transportation if we make sure that the funds are directed to the areas of greatest need when measured as a function of population and actual usage (as opposed to lane miles) and we adjust the archaic funding formulas that send too much money to counties and cities that have little need.

I believe the best way to direct new funds to transportation would be to redirect all of the revenues from license tab fees to transportation. Under current law, a portion of those funds goes directly to the general fund (for example, general government expenses).

JI: Regarding transit, how important is directing additional funding toward light-rail transit and bus lines, such as SouthWest Transit?

JO: I think that is a discussion better left for next year when we undertake review and adoption of our budget. However, I believe that the SouthWest Transit system is incredibly successful, given its ridership. I would be supportive of more funding for transit systems like this one, but it tends to be packaged with systems that are far less successful and the investment ends up operating as a ridership subsidy. Again, we should look at those issues next year.

JI: Do you think Carol Molnau should continue to serve as the Minnesota Department of Transportation commissioner?

JO: I think the question has become overly and unnecessarily political. Lt. Gov. Molnau has served as the commissioner of the department of transportation since 2003. In 2004, the Senate transportation committee considered her confirmation and voted against her in a party-line vote. The question was never brought up again in the full Senate. I believe the Senate has consented to her service as commissioner through its inaction over these many years.

It is unfortunate that she has been personally attacked in the media – it diverts attention away from the substantive issues: building consensus about transportation priorities and funding mechanisms.

JI: The state is projecting a $373 million budget deficit by the summer of 2009. What does that mean in terms of what can be accomplished this session?

JO: I believe the February forecast will indicate that the deficit has grown significantly since the November report. I hope it will mean that we engage in an honest assessment of our 2008-2009 budget and that we make wise and proactive adjustments wherever possible. We should be cutting spending to get ahead of the downward turn.

JI: Do you envision any legislation this year that will have a specific effect on your district?

JO: There will be many proposals for new taxes, and the tax bill from last year (which included increases in local government aid funds) will be considered again this year. The bill was vetoed last year, which I believe in hindsight was a good thing, given the downturn in the state's economic forecast.

Julianne Ortman, R-Chanhassen, represents Minnesota Senate District 34, which includes St. Lawrence Township. She can be reached at 651-296-4837 or sen.julianne.ortman@senate.mn.