Green Acres, tax reform on deck for next week

published 3/27/2009

A floor vote on Green Acres, a hearing on corporate tax reform and the beginnings of a House bonding proposal are all on deck for next week.

House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Mpls) discussed the House’s agenda at a press conference in which she also criticized Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s approach to solving the state’s $4.6 billion budget deficit. (Watch)

Describing yesterday’s private meeting between Pawlenty and legislative leaders as “tense,” Kelliher said while DFL leaders have offered a budget compromise that includes spending cuts, one-time revenues and tax increases, the governor is refusing to budge on the issue of taxes, relying instead on more “irresponsible” one-time revenues.

“For the long-term stability of the state and the things that Minnesotans expect out of their state government, there needs to be some ongoing revenue in this budget,” Kelliher said.

Looking ahead to next week, Kelliher said the conference report on a federal tax conformity bill that also includes changes to the state’s Green Acres program will be taken up Monday on the House floor. In addition, the House Capital Investment Finance Division will begin to draft a bonding proposal that Kelliher said will be focused on projects that maximize job creation.

Other scheduled legislative activity includes a House Taxes Committee hearing on a proposal by the Governor’s 21st Century Tax Reform Commission to overhaul the state’s tax system, and the introduction of a bill sponsored by Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) that would institute new accountability measures for state agencies.

Winkler said the bill is a response to a report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor revealing weak internal controls and a lack of financial oversight at a variety of state agencies. He said fixing the problems is especially important as the state prepares to receive and appropriate billions in federal stimulus funds.

- Nick Busse