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Politics & Government

Legislative Bio: Rep. Lyndon Carlson

As lawmakers get ready for the 2012 session, Patch is profiling local politicians and asking about their goals for the upcoming year.

Representative Lyndon Carlson
Party: DFL
District: 45B
Elected: to the House in 1972
Term: 20th
Committees: DFL Lead: Ways and Means, Capital Investment, Taxes
Occupation: Retired teacher
Education: BS in social studies; graduate work, Minnesota State University, Mankato and St. Thomas
Home: Crystal
Age: 71
Family: Wife, Carole; three children; six grandchildren

What is your proudest moment in office?

“It’s hard to boil my 40 years in office down to one moment, because there are quite a few moments I’m proud of,” Rep. Lyndon Carlson said. In his tenure he has served on or chaired just about every committee there is at the Capitol. 

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As a retired schoolteacher, he lists his dedication to K-12 funding as a source of pride, along with being an advocate for lower property taxes, and his extensive work on the state budget over the years.

“In the past I chaired the finance committee, which is in charge of a large portion of the state budget, and I’m proud to say we were able to balance the budget all four years I chaired that committee.” Carlson chaired the finance committee from 2007-10.

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What are your five goals for the session?

  • Work on the bonding bill

“This will be the major funding bill of the session and, as the governor has stated, it has the potential to put 20,000 Minnesotans back to work and that is crucial this year.”

While Carlson believes economic growth is the biggest issue facing the state right now, he does have other goals for the 2012 session:

  • Work on a jobs package.
  • Create better ways to match business needs with training programs in the state.
  • Work on a plan to repay school districts the money the state borrowed to balance the budget.
  • Ensure Minnesota is on track to meet new federal health care guidelines detailed in the Affordable Health Care Act.
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