Seifert warns of health and human services cuts

published 1/8/2009

House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) warned Minnesotans to “brace themselves” for massive state budget cuts, particularly to health and human services programs.

Speaking at a press conference, Seifert said the reductions would be necessary to solve the state’s projected $4.85 billion biennial budget deficit — a shortfall that he added is likely to grow in the coming months.(Watch the press conference.)

“I don’t know how we can get our arms around this without huge reductions in health and human services,” he said.

Seifert noted that both Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders have said that they will try to avoid making cuts to K-12 education, which comprises nearly 40 percent of General Fund spending. According to him, that leaves health and human services, at 27.7 percent of General Fund spending, highest on the chopping block.

Seifert also said local government aid is likely to take a hit, and said he expected “massive” layoffs and reforms in state agencies over the next two years. He said proposals to raise taxes or expand the sales tax, for example, would be “dead on arrival” within his caucus; however, he indicated that members of his caucus might be open to other budget solutions, such as some kind of state-run gaming.

Apart from the budget deficit, Seifert said other Republican priorities for the session will likely include election law reforms, especially a photo ID requirement for voters on Election Day.

- Nick Busse