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State Representative Phyllis Kahn
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4257
For more information contact: Ted Modrich 651-296-5809
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“LIGHTS-ON” BILL WOULD HAVE PREVENTED SHUTDOWN PAIN
Republicans continue to use it as a political ploy, rather than a responsible tool
ST. PAUL — Last week, Minnesota Management and Budget released a report detailing the costs of the state government shutdown in July. Minnesota lost nearly $50 million in revenue, spent $10 million in shutdown preparation and recovery costs, and another $10 million in unemployment compensation. However, these costs were offset by the compensation savings from the 19,000 laid off state employees.
“While the report would indicate that the state nearly broke-even, the harm inflicted on Minnesotans — especially state workers — was immeasurable," said state Representative Phyllis Kahn (DFL – Minneapolis).
Rep. Kahn introduced a bill to continue appropriations — HF 568 — in February and has introduced a similar bill in each budget year of a biennium.
“My ‘lights-on’ bill has been continually offered as a reasonable and orderly way to keep government functioning in the event of a stalemate,” Rep. Kahn said. “My bill was modeled after a similar past law that worked well in Wisconsin. Thousands of Minnesotans are hurt by any interruption in government services and my bill prevents that. The uncertainty of an impending shutdown and the preparations that go with it also make our state less efficient and make it more difficult for state employees to do their jobs effectively.
“The loss of state employee salaries and buying power hurts our economy as well. Those salaries weren’t being spent in Minnesota small businesses and weren’t helping stimulate our economy. It’s pretty simple: when middle-class families are squeezed, it hurts our local businesses.”
The Republican majority introduced several “lights-on” bills near the end of session, but did not act on them. Once the legislative session ended on May 23, Republicans began publicly calling for Governor Dayton to call a special session so they could pass a “lights-on” bill. Republicans have continued pushing for “lights-on” bills as recently as last week as a way to prevent another government shutdown in the future.
“Republicans had no serious interest in the proper use of a ‘lights-on’ bill,” Rep. Kahn continued. “They were simply using it as a political ploy against the governor. If Republicans are serious about improving state government and making it more efficient, they should pass my bill or a similar bill early next session.”
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