Dear Neighbors,
On Friday, Minnesota Management and Budget released the new forecast for the state budget. Previous expectations showed a state budget surplus of $1.2 Billion and the new forecasted amount is $900 million. This isn't unexpected and the State Economist gave a couple indicators as why. Specifically, the U.S. economic outlook has weakened, caused by depressed oil-related investments and a widening trade gap. Additionally, lower expected growth in incomes has reduced projected tax receipts.
This change is not something to cause major alarm. This should remind us the importance of honest budgeting and creating stability in our state. I believe in the importance of having an appropriate level of a budget reserve to ensure changes like this don't have a negative impact on Minnesotans like our senior citizens who live on a fixed incomes who can't absorb a great amount of change.
This also serves as a reminder to us as an entire state that not every city and county is prospering at the same time. Pockets of our state have had entire industry sectors slow to a near halt with major layoffs. According to my friends who represent the Iron Range, there is over 20% unemployment in some of their communities. Imagine how hard it would be to hang on to hope with 20% of your neighbors being out of work and with no jobs available. We likely all live near a family or have a friend who would like to make sure they have income stability for their family. Many will tell you it's not the government’s role to create jobs and at face value that is true. What is important is creating stability for families and businesses who are thriving and can grow by ensuring the budget is stable and gimmicks are not used again creating large deficits. We've had great luck in our area with grants and good policy helping our local businesses grow and hire more of our neighbors.
I'll keep working to make sure we don't take steps backwards and cause harm to our families.
Water Quality
This weekend Gov. Mark Dayton hosted the Governor’s Water Summit, bringing together hundreds of interested Minnesotans to discuss one of the most long term pressing issues facing our state. Just last week, a report from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency showed that nitrate levels in nearly two-thirds of test wells in central Minnesota exceed the state standard for drinking water. Trends like these are alarming, and make me concerned for the natural resources we will leave for our children and grandchildren. I applaud the Governor for taking an approach seeking to bring all stakeholders to the table to find solutions. He called for all of us to develop a “water ethic,” and I think we can all do so in our homes and workplaces. A survey is also available to provide your input and share your voice on this issue.
As you may know, during the 2015 Legislative Session we passed a bill requiring buffers around streams on agricultural land with the objective of preventing runoff full of harmful fertilizers and pesticides from further polluting our ground and surface water. Part of this process was to map the ditches that may be affected by this, and the Minnesota DNR started this process earlier this year. Unfortunately, after pushback and alleged political threats from House Republicans, Gov. Dayton was forced to back off of this effort. In addition to the consequences of agricultural runoff, much of our wastewater infrastructure is sorely in need of updates, and I hope in the bonding bill this year we can make some investments in this area. This is a problem we cannot keep waiting to solve.
First Female General
I’d like to take a second to congratulate Sandra L. Best on her promotion from Colonel to Brigadier General. With the promotion, she becomes the first woman to achieve this rank in the Minnesota National Guard.
Brig. Gen. Best joined the Minnesota Air National Guard in 1984, progressing through the ranks of Personnel Specialist, to Technical Sergeant, to Colonel. In 2008, she was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and in 2011 served on a tour of duty in Afghanistan. I join Gov. Dayton, Lt. Gov Smith, Adjutant General Nash and the rest of the state in congratulating her and wishing her all the best in this new challenge.
Washington County Parks
It’s not too early to look ahead to warmer weather and spending quality time outside with family and friends. Tomorrow, March 1, the Washington County Parks Department will begin taking campsite and picnic pavilion reservations for the season in person, on the phone, and online. After installing new recreation management software allowing for facility scheduling, activity registration and campground booking, this new system will allow users to more conveniently take advantage of our area’s fantastic outdoor resources.
For more information, visit Washington County Parks online here: https://www.co.washington.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=492
Sincerely,
Dan Schoen
State Representative