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State Representative Joyce Peppin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7806
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
OP/ED COLUMN
END OF SESSION UPDATE
By Joyce Peppin
State Representative
The 2007 legislative session wrapped up on May 21, but not without a crazy and wild ending. Spending decisions for nearly 80 percent of the state's $43 billion budget were determined in the last six hours of session. Debate was completely cut off and legislators barely had time to peruse the bills for which they had to vote. It wasn't pretty, but it appears we have at least avoided a special session.
The biggest surprise for me this session was that despite a $2.2 billion budget surplus, the Democrat majorities in the House and Senate introduced legislation that, if passed, would have made Minnesota the highest taxed state in the nation. I am pleased the House minority said no and prevented a $780 million income tax increase and staved off many sales and property tax increases as well.
Issues like property tax relief, funding for our schools, roads and nursing homes, and health care reform should have been at the top of the legislative agenda. Unfortunately, these were squeezed off the list and replaced with expansion of welfare and government. You know our priorities are out of whack when we spend an additional $43 million on welfare and weaken the work requirements, give the Minnesota Legislature an 18 percent increase, and our schools and nursing homes less than a 2 percent increase.
Here are some additional session highlights/lowlights:
A 2%/1% increase on the education formula, $120 for early childhood and family education and $318 million for special education
Increased funding for colleges and universities (about 15 percent) that will help control the rising costs of tuition at our post-secondary institutions.
A veterans package for those who have served, who continue to serve and their families. It includes funding for reintegration programs and tuition assistance.
Increased healthcare spending by 19 percent, including removing accountability measures for welfare spending.
A requirement that 25 percent of Minnesota's energy be derived from renewable resources by 2025.
A constitutional amendment to raise the sales tax for dedicated funding for the outdoors did not get done before the session adjourned.
My two biggest priorities this year were passing legislation to allow for the construction of an Interchange at Brockton Avenue on I-94 and securing funding for the Sept. 16 Rogers tornado.
I am happy to report $400,000 in disaster relief funding was awarded to the city of Rogers. The money will be used to reimburse the city for costs incurred, to pay for restorative landscaping and to help with the expenses of tornado victims. This money will go a long way toward continuing the tornado recovery.
Another priority for me was to move forward with construction of an interchange at Brockton Avenue. While there are many transportation projects that deserve funding in this region that I strongly support (such as Hwy. 610), a unique collaboration would have provided a real possibility that an interchange at Brockton Avenue could be constructed long before MnDOT would be able to build one. While the legislation appeared in both the Senate and House tax bills, the provision was removed by the House tax chair during conference committee. I will continue to work on this much-needed legislation next session.
Overall I would rate this session a C for missed opportunities and misplaced priorities. But there is always next year. It has been an honor to serve you in St. Paul this legislative session. When the legislature reconvenes next year on February 12 I will continue to fight for our area and for the values we hold.
If you have any questions or concerns between now and then I would encourage you to contact me. I may be reached at rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn or 651.296.4124. Mail should be sent to Rep. Joyce Peppin, 331 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
News Items
- PEPPIN REPORT: NW SUBURBAN FAMILIES WILL BE HIT HARD UNDER DAYTON AND DFL BUDGET - (Posted: May 28 2013 4:35PM)
- Rep. Peppins bill would lessen unfair fiscal disparities tax burden on Rogers - (Posted: Apr 3 2013 9:36AM)
- PEPPIN REPORT: FEBRUARY FORECAST REVEALS FOURTH CONSECUTIVE STATE SURPLUS - (Posted: Feb 28 2013 12:00AM)
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