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State Representative Tim O'Driscoll
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7808
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
HOUSE BRIEFS
2012 Legislative Session Preview
Greetings!
The 2012 Legislative session is underway, committees are busy and we are looking forward to a very productive year.
When I arrived in St. Paul last year to begin my work as a newly elected member of the House of Representatives, we were facing a nearly $6.2 billion deficit, according to November 2010 projections. As a result of hard work and some very tough decisions, we were able to come to agreement with Gov. Dayton and balance the state's budget.
The November 2011 revenue projections from the Minnesota Management and Budget office predicted an $876 million surplus for the current biennium. By law, this money must be used to shore-up the state cash-reserve accounts before funds could be used for other initiatives. This surplus represents a dramatic turnaround from this time last year. However, it doesn't mean the state is out of the woods yet. The economy still remains very tentative, so surpluses could change rather quickly.
The next revenue forecast update is scheduled to be released on March 1, 2012. It is at that time we will get a more up-to-date read on the state's financial health.
Here are some other updates you might find interesting as well.
Reform 2.0
Building on last year’s government reform efforts, we have launched an initiative we like to call “reform 2.0”. We have received input and feedback from business owners, local government leaders, and interested citizens across the state on ideas to help reform and improve government and the way it delivers services. A lot of work was done between the 2011-2012 sessions to compile the input we received and put forth recommendations that the legislature is working on this session. One of those areas that has been receiving a lot attention early on this session is that of tort reform. You can read more about the tort reform efforts in the section below. As the session goes on, I will be featuring other areas of reform that the legislature is working on.
Tort Reform
Last week we kicked off the reform 2.0 effort by focusing on lawsuit abuse prevention. We passed four bills that aim to improve fairness in litigation, leading to speedier resolutions, all while decreasing costs and increasing financial certainty for those involved in litigation. These bills were supported by Minnesotans for Lawsuit Reform, which is comprised of 45 regional Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations that together represent more than 58,000 employers in Minnesota. Unfortunately, Governor Dayton vetoed these bills this morning.
Viking Stadium
After hearing about many site locations over the last several months, the Vikings stadium debate seems to have settled on one location. The Metrodome site has been committed to by Governor Dayton as the most feasible to gain the approval of the legislature. While we now have a site location, we have yet to see a proposed payment plan. It is my hope that we will receive a more formalized proposal from the Vikings, so the legislature has something tangible to react to.
Precinct Caucus Meetings
I would like to thank all those who attended their local precinct caucus meetings this week. The turnout was great all over the state as people felt a sense of urgency to become involved in their state and national governments. Please continue to take control of your government process by involving yourself at the local level and providing input to your officials, including myself.
Dangerous Sex Offender Release
I would like to close by asking you to please call Governor Dayton and ask that his administration reverse its decision to release convicted sex offender Clarence Opheim. This man is responsible for roughly 100 separate sex offenses against 30 different victims. One of the victims was as young as 8 years old.
Press accounts say that Dayton's appointee, Commissioner of Human Services Lucinda Jesson, failed to object to the release of Opheim. This comes despite the fact that less than one year ago, the state special review board determined that Opheim is "at high risk to commit a future serious sexual offense."
The House Health and Human Services Reform Committee will hold a hearing on this issue on Wednesday, February 15 to discuss how Opheum’s fitness for release could have changed so drastically in just one year.
Releasing a dangerous child sex predator concerns me greatly. We don't want any more victims. Please call Governor Dayton today and ask that his administration stop the release of convicted sex offender Opheim.
Governor’s Office Telephone: 651-201-3400
Mailing Address:
Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
-Tim
News Items
- Rep. O'Driscoll Statement on Omnibus Pensions Bill (SF489) - (Posted: May 18 2013 2:59PM)
- Legislative Survey Results - (Posted: May 17 2013 1:52PM)
- HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS RESPOND TO PASSAGE OF JOBS, ENERGY OMNIBUS BILL - (Posted: May 16 2013 10:16AM)
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