Republicans seek action on budget

published 3/2/2009

Nearly two months into the legislative session, House and Senate Republican leaders slammed their DFL colleagues for not proposing a solution to the state’s projected $4.8 billion budget deficit.

“We’re 40 percent done with session right now with very little to show for it,” House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) said at a press conference. (Watch the press conference.)

Seifert said that while Republicans had offered many ideas such as welfare reform, government salary freezes and eliminating legislator per diem payments to help plug the budget gap, DFLers have yet to propose any solutions of their own.

“We have been waiting for one concrete, solid idea from the Democrats,” Seifert said.

DFL leaders have defended their budgeting process amid similar criticisms in recent weeks, arguing that they need solid numbers from the February budget forecast — scheduled to be released Tuesday — and the federal stimulus package before they can realistically set a budget.

Seifert said DFLers knew well ahead of time how big the deficit was going to be, and should’ve been working on a plan in the meantime. He said his caucus would like to see a focus on job creation in the private sector as a way to grow the economy.

- Nick Busse