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State Representative Andrew Falk
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4228
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
NEWS COLUMN
Filling a $5 billion hole
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Six weeks into the 2009 legislative session, we are deep into the process of trying to solve our state budget calamity. As required by law, the process began when the governor unveiled his budget proposal on January 27th. Since that time, House and Senate finance committees have been considering all aspects of the governor’s budget, what areas we can agree on, and what areas will need compromise. As we look more deeply into solving this deficit, it’s enormity becomes very apparent. Until you can visualize how big this budget hole is, it’s very difficult to come up with solutions. Just what will it take to fill a $5 billion budget hole? To help put this into perspective, here are some current House Research estimates. If we:
• Cut all kids from health care - $139 million, and
• Shut down 20% of nursing homes - $191 million, and
• Release all the prisoners - $950 million, and
• Let all the sex offenders out - $127 million, and
• Close all the state parks - $52 million, and
• Eliminate Meals on Wheels for seniors - $7.1 million, and
• Shut down 10 state college campuses - $146 million, and
• Shut down the departments of Health, Public Safety, Transportation and the rest of State Government - $3.56 billion – all of these cuts would equal the $5 billion budget deficit.
This list of cuts is intended to illustrate the scope and magnitude of the hole we’re trying to fill. As we consider the best approach, we need citizens’ input. We want to know what programs and departments should be cut, what aspects of government can be done more efficiently, what programs should be maintained, what programs should be expanded, and if a program should be either maintained or expanded, how should it be paid for? To help gather the thoughts, concerns, and suggestions of the people, there will be hall meetings across the state. I invite you to join me at my upcoming town hall meetings: Thursday, February 19, 3:00 p.m. at the Benson Town Hall and at 6:00 p.m. at the Little Theater, Kennedy Elementary School, Willmar. I’m also having a meeting on Friday, the 20th, at 9:30 a.m. at the Appleton City Hall. Senator Kubly will be co-hosting at all three, and a bipartisan legislative task force will be present at the meeting in Willmar.
These meetings are your chance to hear more details about the Governor’s budget and let us know how you feel we should handle this budget crisis. When the official February forecast numbers (which I believe will be worse than the current estimates) come out, I will be hosting more town hall meetings throughout the district. We are all in this together, and I look forward to hearing from you. You can reach me at 651-296-4228 or by email at rep.andrew.falk@house.mn.
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