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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
C-BED PROPOSAL WOULD KEEP JOBS AND DOLLARS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
A top priority for me as your state representative is to make sure the residents of our district have an understanding of what is happening at the State Capitol. Considering the historic budget deficit we face this year, it will be especially important to keep people informed on the tough decisions that are being considered. This last week, I began a series of town hall meetings around the district to provide more details, and to more importantly, hear directly from you on how you feel these budget challenges should be met. The response has been great; I appreciate the constructive feedback I have been getting and I believe that getting the public engaged in this critical debate is the right thing to do.
On Wednesday, in the House Energy Policy and Finance Committee, we took testimony on my bill, HF357, which creates standardized contracts for C-BED (community-based energy development) projects throughout the state. C-BED is a top-priority for me because it ensures that as we develop this new renewable energy economy, we allow Minnesotans to own and benefit from the resources. C-BED facilitates keeping jobs and dollars in our local communities and in Minnesota. In contrast, most of the large wind farms in Minnesota are owned by out-of-state, multinational corporations with the profits leaving the state. To illustrate the point, over $100 million dollars of revenue generated by wind farms flow out of three southwestern Minnesota counties each year.
I was extremely pleased to have General Wesley Clark (former Supreme NATO Allied Commander and Democratic Presidential Candidate) testify on behalf of this bill in the committee. He supports legislation such as this not only because it’s an effective way to re-invest in our communities; it also helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Also this week, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. While the bulk of the funding this legislation provides cannot be used to fill the budget deficit hole, it will provide relief for our state by helping schools with unfunded mandates such as special education, extending health insurance benefits, and funding critical transportation and infrastructure projects. However, it is one-time money and most likely, will not be available for future budgets.
In approximately two weeks, the February forecast will be released. It is widely anticipated that our state will be facing a larger deficit than the $5 billion currently projected. To compound the problem, we may also be out of balance for the current biennium. If that proves to be the case, the Governor and Legislature will be charged with reducing appropriations that have already been agreed upon, a process called “unallotment." The unallotments enacted by the Governor two months ago when we were not in session reduced Local Government Aid and funding for hospitals, among others. Whether or not we will face this choice again, it is clear our budget decisions will be difficult ones.
Please continue to contact me with your feedback and ideas. I can be reached at 651-296-4228 or by email at rep.andrew.falk@house.mn.
News Items
- Budget Forecast: Major budget problems remain for 2014-15 Fiscal crisis in Washington creates uncertainty and concerns - (Posted: Dec 5 2012 12:00AM)
- Budget Forecast: Major budget problems remain for 2014-15 Fiscal crisis in Washington creates uncertainty and concerns - (Posted: 2012-12-05 00:00:00)
- 2012 SESSION WRAP UP - (Posted: 2012-07-05 00:00:00)
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