| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| May 3, 2000 | Lindsay Sander (651-297-5600) |
ST. PAUL State Representative Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) introduced legislation on Thursday that would require the Minnesota's Legislature to meet during only the odd numbered years. Buesgens said his initiative was to put an end to supplemental spending and the creation of new programs during the second year of the biennium.
"The even numbered year of the Legislative session is supposed to be dedicated to state bonding and emergency situations that need to be dealt with," said Buesgens. "Yet, it has turned out to be another budget year a time to spend on all kinds of new programs that should be dealt with during the normal budget process."
Under Buesgens' proposed legislation, the Legislature could only meet during the odd numbered years. Prior to 1972, the Legislature could only meet during the "odd" numbered years for a period of no longer than 120 days. Buesgens' bill would return the legislature to its pre- 1972 status.
"Since the Legislature began meeting annually, the number of laws Minnesotans are forced to live under has increased exponentially, and the size of government and the state budget have also grown substantially," Buesgens continued. "If we can't discipline ourselves to only do what we are supposed to do, we shouldn't be meeting."
"The Legislature has proven it can get the state's work done in 120 days," Rep. Buesgens concluded. "It's time that we return to the old system were everything gets done in the first year so people don't have to worry about state lawmakers spending excess tax dollars and creating new programs when they shouldn't be."
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