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State Representative Sheldon Johnson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4201
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
NEWS COLUMN
PREMEDITATED UNALLOTMENTS WILL DO UNNECESSARY DAMAGE TO MINNESOTA
Governor Tim Pawlenty recently announced the details of his plan to unallot $2.7 billion from the state budget. These cuts come on top of $2 billion in budget reductions passed by the legislature and signed into law last month. Governor Pawlenty and Finance Commissioner Tom Hanson will begin making the unallotments July 1.
This dramatic and powerful tool has only been used five times in the last 30 years - three of those times by Governor Pawlenty. It is meant only to be used in periods of unanticipated budget shortfalls.
But this deficit was not unanticipated; it was premeditated. Lawmakers passed a balanced budget based on the priorities and values of Minnesotans. The governor vetoed that bill and threw the budget out of balance. Then he made a deliberate decision to make $2.7 billion in painful cuts instead.
To put things in perspective, Governor Pawlenty’s plan will cut 10 times the amount of state funding ever unallotted by any governor in Minnesota history. In fact, Governor Pawlenty’s unallotments during this budget cycle alone are 4 times larger than all of the unallotments made by all Minnesota governors combined.
Unfortunately, the scope of these unallotments and their premeditated origins are not the most disturbing part of this story. The impact these cuts will have on our community, Minnesota’s future, and our economic recovery is worse.
Deep cuts to LGA and Market Value Homestead Credit will eliminate $16.6 million from the St. Paul city budget over the next two years alone, sending property taxes up for the 7th year in a row. Another $100 million in cuts at the University of Minnesota and our state colleges and universities will send tuition even higher. More cuts to our hospitals will fall on top of $64.4 million in cuts to St. Paul area hospitals from the governor’s GAMC veto in May.
All of these cuts will eliminate thousands more jobs. At a time when unemployment has reached its highest peak in nearly 30 years, the last thing we should be doing is putting more people out of work. More unemployed Minnesotans will not help our economic recovery - it will only hinder it by prolonging the economic hardships of countless Minnesotans and eliminating jobs that didn’t have to go.
Perhaps most rattling on the governor’s list of unallotments is just how much, and in how many ways, Minnesota’s disabled and elderly populations have been asked to contribute to the budget solution. From cuts to nursing homes, personal care attendants, and more, these vulnerable individuals are paying more than their fair share. The legislature already cut these areas - and did so carefully to avoid any unnecessary or damaging pain to our most vulnerable populations. These additional cuts are unnecessary and will inflict lasting pain on those least able to pay.
I am deeply disappointed Governor Pawlenty chose unallotment over compromising with lawmakers. Time and again we offered responsible alternatives and thoughtful compromise. During this serious economic crisis, it was never more important for the legislature and governor to put their differences aside and get the job done. Still, the governor insisted on going it alone and now Minnesotans will pay the price.
Even though the governor has decided to conclude the session on his own, my job representing our community did not end when the gavel fell on the last day of session. Throughout the interim and into the next legislative session I encourage you to partner with me in the work ahead to restore the Minnesota we know and love, and put our state back on course for a sound and speedy economic recovery.
Please contact me with your questions and concerns.
News Items
- 2012 SESSION UPDATE - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
- 2012 SESSION UPDATE - (Posted: 2012-04-26 00:00:00)
- 2012 SESSION UPDATE - (Posted: 2012-04-19 00:00:00)
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