SAINT PAUL, MN –On Friday, after nearly a month of delays, the Minnesota State Legislature held a special session to finish passing a two-year state budget. While a government shutdown was avoided, State Representative Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin) said the House missed many opportunities to move Minnesota forward.
“Coming into session the Republican House Majority said this was going to be all about Greater Minnesota,” said Rep. Poppe. “It is disappointing we could not have accomplished more for Minnesotans while the state has a massive surplus.”
The House and Senate majorities were unable to come to an agreement on a number of issues, including making long-term investments to fix Minnesota’s crumbling transportation infrastructure; providing property tax relief for homeowners, farmers and middle-class families; and holding down debt by freezing tuition at our four-year colleges and universities. Instead, the Legislature has adjourned with nearly $1 billion on the bottom line, which House Republicans have signaled interest in giving away as tax breaks for corporate special interests and the wealthiest Minnesotans next year.
One of the most controversial issues was the environment and agriculture finance bill. Despite exhaustive criticism by House Republicans in 2013 that agriculture and environment did not belong together, the House GOP combined the agriculture and environment funding bill.
“It is really unfortunate the House and Senate Majority leadership decided to combine a very bi-partisan agriculture bill with a controversial environment bill,” said Rep. Poppe. “Avian flu funding was held up for weeks because of that decision. A standalone ag bill would probably have received over 100 votes. Instead farmers were left waiting to find out when support was coming.”
One outcome of the special session was securing additional resources for Minnesota’s children. The initial budget passed by the House Republican Majority provided less than a 1 percent increase for Minnesota schools, which would have forced teacher layoffs and larger class sizes. Governor Dayton was successful in getting House Republican leaders to agree to $125 million in further education investments during the special session. The education bill increases opportunities for early learners and improves the base formula levels for Minnesota schools. Minnesota is currently 24 percent below the per pupil funding levels from 2003.
“I am glad Governor Dayton pushed so hard to increase funding for our schools,” said Rep. Poppe. “Our schools needed this increase to keep up with inflation. It is great to provide this investment, which includes more money for early childhood education.”
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