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State Representative Kurt Daudt
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5364
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
NEWS COLUMN
Legislative Update for Feb. 21-25
Budget Forecast: State economists will issue their "February forecast" next week with the latest revenue projections for the next biennium. This will give us a better idea of how much revenue we can expect so that we can set our state budget. In the last forecast, it was estimated that state revenues would increase from approximately $30 billion to $32 billion, or about a 6 percent increase. The $6.2 billion deficit that you keep hearing about is because expenditures are automatically set to increase about 28 percent. Last week the Governor released his proposed budget which includes 4.1 billion dollars in tax increases to cover his proposed 22 eprcent increase in state spending. I don't feel that we can raise taxes on any Minnesotan's in these trying economic times. We need to focus on creating jobs and getting people back to work, not taxing them more. The house will present a balanced budget by March 25th.
I spoke with Minnesota Public Radio last week about the Governor’s budget proposal. Listen to my interview here.
Green Acres: The Green Acres "fix" bill I co-authored (HF 12) has passed a major committee hurdle in the Property and Local Tax Division and now moves to the full tax committee. In 2008, controversial changes were passed deep in an omnibus tax bill that raised property taxes for many farmers. This bill will fix those changes and improve the program. We have held multiple working sessions and committee hearings and have worked with the Minnesota Department of Revenue, farming organizations and the Association of Assessing Officers on language for the bill. We hope to pass this crucial legislation in the next couple weeks and get it to the Governor for his approval.
Legislation: Below is a summary of some major legislation that has already passed the House.
Alternative Teacher Licensure: Gives school districts the flexibility to hire professionals who have gone through rigorous training and have extensive real-world experience but don’t have a teaching degree. Similar programs have seen success in other states.
Nuclear Plant Moratorium Repeal: Would lift the ban on construction of new nuclear power plants in Minnesota. This doesn’t mean one will pop up tomorrow, but it does leave all the options on the table as we look towards making Minnesota a leader in clean energy.
Early Action Budget Bill: Would immediately reduce the deficit by almost $1 billion by blocking automatic spending increases, cutting legislator pay, and asking state agencies to refrain from budget spend-downs known as “Christmas in June.”
Streamline Permitting: Our very first bill, House File 1, was to speed up permitting processes and environmental review for businesses to open or expand as a means to make Minnesota more attractive to job creators. A similar bill passed in the Senate today.
Social Media: In addition to receiving email updates from me, you can connect with me on social media to stay informed of what is happening at the Capitol. Visit and “like” my official State Representative Facebook page to get links to interviews, YouTube videos and articles about legislation. Follow my Twitter account to get often up-to-the-second updates from floor sessions and other Capitol events. Social media also gives me the opportunity to hear your thoughts and opinions.
News Items
- House Republicans Finalize Leadership Team - (Posted: 2012-12-17 00:00:00)
- House Republicans Elect Whip and Assistant Leaders - (Posted: 2012-12-12 00:00:00)
- House Republican Leader Kurt Daudt Chooses Rep. Jenifer Loon as Deputy Leader - (Posted: 2012-11-19 00:00:00)
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