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State Representative Diane Loeffler
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4219
For more information contact: Christina Gosack 651-296-5524
Press/News Releases
Loeffler Proposal to Prevent Future Government Shutdown Meets House Approval
Last summer, Minnesota made national news by partially shutting down state government for the first time in state history. Rep. Diane Loeffler was so disappointed with the wastefulness of the shutdown, she immediately drafted a bill this session to allow state services to keep functioning in the event of a budget stalemate. Last week the House voted 76 to 56 on a bi-partisan basis to add Rep. Loeffler's "continuing resolution" proposal as an amendment to the State Government Finance Bill.
"Last year's state government shutdown kept 9,000 state workers idled and cost the state about $6 million," said Loeffler. "Under my provision, we will avoid the hardship and cost of shutdown. Minnesota would join the majority of states and keep government services running under the previous budget in the event of a budget stalemate until an agreement can be reached."
Loeffler pointed out that several other states did not pass their budgets on time last year, but Minnesota was the only one to shut down state government because the others had such continuing resolutions in place.
Rep. Loeffler also emphasized that she hopes her provision proves unnecessary and that future state budget negotiations avoid the gridlock seen in 2005. To improve the budget negotiation process, Loeffler has worked since July of 2005 with Republican Rep. Kathy Tingelstad and colleagues in the Senate to solicit reform proposals from fellow legislators and draft them into bills under consideration this session.
"The public wants a process that's efficient and effective," said Loeffler. "I'm encouraged that my fellow House members are responding to that call, and I will continue pushing an agenda of bi-partisan reforms that improve the legislative process."
News Items
- The Affordable Care Act and Minnesota - (Posted: 2012-07-03 00:00:00)
- REPUBLICAN BILL WOULD GIVE BUSINESSES A TAX CUT AT EXPENSE OF SENIORS & DISABLED - (Posted: 2012-02-14 00:00:00)
- END OF SESSION UPDATE - (Posted: 2011-05-27 00:00:00)
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