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State Representative Chris Swedzinski
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5374
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN UPDATE
News From Representative Swedzinski
I am disappointed that a solution was not reached and we are now experiencing an unnecessary government shutdown. We presented the Governor with a balanced budget in May. We have compromised with the Governor in the last three weeks by offering to meet his funding requests for K-12 Education, the Judiciary, and Public Safety. These three areas make up nearly half the budget. It was our hope that by meeting his funding requests on almost half the budget he would at least sign those bills in order to prevent losing teachers, and continued public safety in the event of a government shutdown. So we came up with another compromise for the Governor; we said we would eliminate our tax relief from the budget if he would eliminate his tax increases. Governor Dayton refused both proposals further pushing us into this government shutdown.
In comparing the 2011 government shutdown to the last government shutdown in 2005, Governor Dayton has approved only one bill, the agriculture bill. Otherwise all of the other budget bills remain on the table. Since Governor Dayton has chosen not to sign any of the budget bills, this government shutdown will affect more Minnesota state workers than 2005. Governor Pawlenty, in 2005, had approved of all but three bills, Education, Transportation and Human Services. Dayton has failed to sign parts of the budget where we already have agreement or one is within reach, which has now resulted in several thousand Minnesotans being laid off unnecessarily.
I remain hopeful that Governor Dayton will call us back to the legislature very soon in order to settle the state budget. I promise to work as hard as I can on your behalf to get this budget settled and get Minnesotans back to work.
I also wanted to include some information regarding the government shutdown and what programs will be available and which will not.
BUSINESS PERMITTING
State agencies stop processing business permits or registering new enterprises. No tax refunds would be issued.
CITIES/COUNTIES
Local Government Aid payments continue.
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
The University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities remain open and have enough funding to operate for the next few months.
COURTS
Open.
DRIVER AND VEHICLE SERVICES
Offices closed and no driver tests available, but you may renew license plates and licenses at city and county offices.
EDUCATION
Public schools are deemed a core service (state payments are not specifically mentioned in court order).
HEALTH
Health Dept. staff could respond to a disease outbreak, operate the Poison Control Center and conduct limited food inspections. Medicaid, MFIP, General Assistance, MN Supplemental aid, Group Residential Housing, MN Care, Food Support, Food Assistance, Adoption Assistance continue.
HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Nursing Homes, residential academies, state hospitals remain open.
HIGHWAY REST STOPS
Closed.
HISTORICAL SITES, MUSEUMS
The Minnesota Historical Society's 26 historic sites and museums close.
HUMAN SERVICES
Food stamps and welfare benefits continue.
HUNTING, FISHING LICENSES
Will not be issued. DNR officers continue enforcement.
JOB TRAINING CENTERS
Closed.
LOTTERY
Closed.
MILITARY
The Department of Veterans Affairs will keep veterans homes open, along with critical assistance programs and the state Veterans Cemetery. Tuition reimbursement claims stop and veterans' outreach claims offices close. Camp Ripley will keep support staff for scheduled military training. Guard members training for deployments are on federal active-duty status and will not be affected.
MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT & BUDGET
Minimal employees needed to maintain employee insurance, payroll, HR management and other budget functions continue.
POLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
Will respond to environmental emergencies, maintain safety and health-related equipment at certain closed landfills and other cleanup sites, and would notify citizens of an air quality alert.
PUBLIC SAFETY
State Patrol, crime labs, Homeland Security, stay open. Most prison employees retained.
RACE TRACKS
Canterbury Park and Running Aces will not be allowed to run races.
SCIENCE MUSEUM
The Science Museum of Minnesota remains open.
STATE PARKS
Closed. Campers with reservations between Thursday and July 14 can cancel them beginning at 8 a.m. Monday and avoid standard cancellation fees. To do so, they should call 1-866-857-2757.
STILLWATER LIFT BRIDGE
Closed to vehicle traffic, unless an appeal by legislative leaders is approved.
TAXES
Revenue tax processing continues. No refund checks issued. Tax court closed.
TRANSPORTATION
Most state-funded road construction projects stop (an estimated 200), except for emergency repairs. The Metropolitan Council can use its reserves to keep buses and rail lines operating for at least a month. The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, which operates many south-metro bus lines, plans to keep buses rolling with reserve funds for up to 60 days.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Unemployment claims, benefit payments, and collections continue.
WORKERS
Workers comp claims and benefits activities processed. Workers comp appeals court closed.
ZOOS
Minnesota Zoo is closed. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory stays open.
I hope that you have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!
Sincerely,
Chris
News Items
- News from Representative Swedzinski - Memorial Day - (Posted: 2012-05-25 00:00:00)
- News from Representative Swedzinski - (Posted: 2012-04-20 00:00:00)
- News from Representative Swedzinski - (Posted: 2012-04-13 00:00:00)
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