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State Representative Tim Kelly
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8635
For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317
NEWS COLUMN
LET THE DEFICIT ELIMINATION BEGIN
With the 2009 Legislative Session now behind us, I thought I’d give you an update as to what happened on the final night’s of session and how the Legislature solved our $6.4 billion budget deficit. In short, our legislative leadership punted the problem to Governor Pawlenty.
I’m glad the Governor is willing to lead on this issue, because our legislative majority could not.
The final four days of session were very confusing. On budget matters, literally nothing was accomplished. Instead of working day and night with the Governor on an agreement, House and Senate leadership held hearings to complain about the Governor’s counteroffers. I believe it was a missed opportunity to work together and compromise.
In short, the Governor signed all the spending bills that were crafted and approved by the Democratic majority. Through line-item vetoes and executive action, he will reduce spending at a later date.
A veto override attempt was made on the majority’s $1.5 billion tax increase bill, but it failed on a bipartisan vote. A similar attempt was made on the Governor’s line-item veto of funding for General Assistance Medical Care. It also failed.
Some are using scare tactics to suggest that this vote means many will immediately lose their health care. Not true. 75% of GAMC recipients are eligible for MinnesotaCare, and the cuts wouldn’t take place until next year. This leaves plenty of time to find compromise.
Governor Pawlenty said this was not going to be an easy process. It’s not something he’ll enjoy, but something he felt he had to do if House and Senate Democrats did not want to come together. It will be difficult to go through the pain of budget reductions, but it’s really no different than what working families are going through right now as they struggle to make ends meet.
News Items
- CONFERENCE COMMITTEES SHAPING IMPORTANT BILLS AT LEGISLATURE - (Posted: 2012-04-05 00:00:00)
- TAX RELIEF AND JOB CREATION BILL APPROVED IN MINNESOTA HOUSE - (Posted: 2012-03-22 00:00:00)
- MORE GOOD NEWS FOUND IN LATEST STATE BUDGET FORECAST - (Posted: 2012-03-06 00:00:00)
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