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State Representative Debra Kiel
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5091
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
UPDATE
News From Representative Kiel
We cannot continue digging ourselves into a fiscal hole we won’t be able to get out of. I’m not willing to allow this state to continue spending and spending. Take a look at our federal government, we are in real trouble because people couldn’t reform government and stop spending. I also realize that Minnesota has grown and yes, some programs do need additional money and that is why we have increased funds to necessary programs that help Minnesotans who are truly in need, while still living within our means.
As the government shutdown continues Governor Dayton is in the driver’s seat. According to Minnesota state law, the Governor is the only one who can call a special session, allowing legislators to vote on a budget bill and end this shutdown. Numerous offers to compromise with Governor Dayton have been made.
May: The GOP passed a $34 billion balanced budget that increased over-all spending by 6 percent, the largest budget to be passed in Minnesota’s history. This budget includes a $570 million increase to health and human services as well as increased spending to K-12 Education.
June6: The next compromise offered to meet Governor Dayton’s funding requests for education, the courts and public safety. These were major attempts to solve half of the budget impasse, and the Governor was still opposed to this.
June 16: Our third compromise offer was a sacrifice for Republicans as it would eliminate our tax cuts to the middle class and we tried to work with the Governor in order to allocate more money to higher education, transportation and environment and natural resources. This was a significant compromise and it was our hope that the Governor would be willing to negotiate this avenue further, but he again opposed this offer.
June 30: Our final offer was to add $10 million to the University of Minnesota and issue appropriation bonds. Governor Dayton wanted to shift school aid payments from 70/30 to 50/50, but GOP leaders said no to his plan of a 50/50 school aid payment shift, but did move a little on that split to generate $700 million in revenue for the Governor. GOP leaders then offered to increase per student aid to cover borrowing costs. This final offer was also rejected by the Governor.
As budget talks continue I remain hopeful that Governor Dayton will compromise with us and call us back to work soon. We need to settle this budget and get Minnesota back up and running and on the right track.
Sincerely,
Deb
News Items
- 2013 Legislative Session Kicks Off - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 10:11AM)
- News form Representative Kiel - (Posted: 2012-05-25 00:00:00)
- News from Representative Kiel - (Posted: 2012-05-08 00:00:00)
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