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State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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LEGISLATURE MAKES EARLY PROGRESS ON BUDGET SOLUTION
ST. PAUL, MN – Rep. Kim Norton (DFL – Rochester) voted today to solve one-third of Minnesota’s $994 million state budget shortfall. Acting early in the session, state lawmakers made $312 million in carefully-targeted cuts to 11 specific state budget areas.
“Extraordinary times require tough choices," said Rep. Norton. “In good times and bad, the legislature is charged with making difficult, responsible decisions on behalf of the Minnesotans we represent. That’s what we did here today.”
The budget bill (HF1671) passed today by a vote of 80 to 51 is the first of three major budget-balancing bills to be brought before the House this session. It seeks agreement with Governor Pawlenty, but cuts far less in Local Government Aid and County Program Aid than the Governor has proposed.
“We found common ground with Governor Pawlenty in most budget areas,” said Rep. Norton. “But our local governments simply can’t manage the deep cuts proposed by the Governor and continue to provide the services Minnesotans expect.”
Under the Governor’s budget plan, Rochester would have faced $2.9 million in LGA cuts. Olmsted County would face $3.7 million in cuts. The House plan passed today cuts only $1.8 million from Rochester and $1.6 million from Olmsted County.
An amendment offered today brought the Governor’s local government proposal to a vote. The Minnesota House soundly defeated the Governor’s cuts to local government today by a bipartisan vote of 119 to 15.
“We passed difficult, but reasonable cuts that ask cities and counties to contribute their share of the solution,” Norton said. “Dipping much farther into already stretched local budgets could have forced countless layoffs to police and fire, and would have sent property taxes higher. The House plan offers a more responsible path to a balanced budget.”
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- It’s Time for Legislature to Get Back to Basics, Balance the Budget Honestly - (Posted: 2012-12-11 00:00:00)
- Second Saturday Coffee Meeting Date Changed to December 9 - (Posted: 2012-12-03 00:00:00)
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