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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
GOVERNOR WANTS TO GO IT ALONE ON SOLVING STATE BUDGET CRISIS
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I have to admit, I had a different vision in mind for the end of my first legislative session than the one we are currently facing. Thursday afternoon, Governor Pawlenty declared that if the legislature wouldn’t agree to his budget plan, he would “go it alone." The Governor said he would sign most of the budget bills that have been sent to him, but will line-item veto those provisions he does not like. He will then do his own budget. While the Governor may not appropriate or spend money without Legislative approval, as we learned last December, the Governor may unallot funding, but only when the state has spent all of its reserves and emptied the cash flow account.
I’m new to the legislature, but from what I understand from those who have been here for many years, the Governor’s move is without comparison. In the last 30 years, governors have only unalloted four times, and two of those times were by Governor Pawlenty. If he chooses that path again this year, it means that three out of five unallotments have been done by this Governor – and this one will be ten times larger than any in state history. This is a blatant abuse of power. The Legislature needs to be a part of these discussions and the citizens need to have their voices heard! The Governor has decided that without Legislative approval or input, he alone will decide what areas of the budget will be protected and which ones will be cut.
The Governor has not provided any further details about what portions of the state budget he plans to unallot. He indicated it will likely look like the first budget he released in January – a proposal that included devastating cuts to hospitals, nursing homes, higher education and significant cuts to local government aid. Further cuts to local government aid threaten essential services in our communities and will further raise property taxes. All while property taxes have already risen $3.1 billion dollars under the Pawlenty administration.
The Governor showed us what kind of vetoes he intends to make on Thursday night when he cut $381 million from General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) in the Health and Human Services Bill. This program reimburses hospitals for providing care to the very poorest Minnesotans - many who suffer from chronic illness, mental illness, and homelessness. This population also includes many seniors and veterans. They typically receive medical treatment in hospital emergency rooms, visits that are paid for by GAMC. With this veto, the Governor has in effect cut $381 million from the bottom line of already struggling hospitals in our state.
This is how much area hospitals will lose as a result of this veto:
Swift County – Benson Hospital $169,000
Graceville Health Center $111,000
Ortonville Area Health Services $94,000
Appleton Municipal Hospital $79,000
These cuts have the potential to close hospitals across our state, as well as force them to eliminate programs and services. Important local jobs could be lost.
In addition to the severity of these cuts, I have real concerns about one branch of our state government making decisions such as these alone. We have three branches of government that are meant to share the responsibility of governing. The legislature has met the Governor more than half-way; we cut more than him from the budget and we matched his revenue proposal. He needs to be responsible and do what is right for Minnesota; he needs to be forthcoming with his budget plans. Minnesotans deserve to have the answers to those questions so the conversation about the future of our state is an honest and open one.
Minnesotans understand that we are facing a historic budget deficit; the Legislature passed a balanced budget that was fair and honest. We approached the problem with a reasonable approach of cuts, improvements in efficiencies, and new sources of revenue – which hinged upon the creation of a fourth-tier income tax (for married joint-filers, every dollar earned above $250,000 per year, the tax rate would be 9% versus 7.85%).
I am committed to working on behalf of the people of District 20A; even if the Governor wants to make decisions behind closed doors with people who have not been elected in our democratic process. I will keep my promise to work to protect those that are most vulnerable, keep our schools strong, our hospitals and nursing homes open, and fight against property tax increases that could force people out of their homes.
Please feel free to call me if you have any questions about what is happening at the state legislature. I can be reached at 651-296-4228 or by email at rep.andrew.falk@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.
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- Budget Forecast: Major budget problems remain for 2014-15 Fiscal crisis in Washington creates uncertainty and concerns - (Posted: Dec 5 2012 12:00AM)
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- 2012 SESSION WRAP UP - (Posted: 2012-07-05 00:00:00)
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