Neighbors and Friends,
February flew by at here at the legislature and we will be even busier as the first of three committee deadlines is coming up on March 10th. Below are some recent updates on what I’ve been working on.
SUNDAY SALES UPDATE
As you know from my last update, the House Passed Sunday off-sale liquor sales. This Monday, the Senate also followed suit. The major difference between our bills is that we allow for the sale to begin at 10 a.m., while the Senate preferred 11:00 a.m. Thursday the House will either vote to concur (accept) the Senate bill, or we’ll appoint a conference committee to work out that minor difference. It’s a good bet that we’ll simply concur and the bill will be off to the governor for his signature.
STATEMENT ON ANTI-SEMITIC HATE CRIMES
Here is a statement from Rep. Frank Hornstein, Rep. Hansen and myself.
BUDGET FORECAST LOOKS GOOD
Minnesota Management and Budget released its February forecast yesterday and the news is good. Our economy is doing well and revenues to the state are expected to increase: https://mn.gov/mmb/forecast/forecast/
Minnesota’s budget and economic outlook is improved but has significant risk. Slight improvement in revenue projections for the remainder of the current biennium along with a minor reduction in spending estimates results in a projected ending balance in FY 2016-17 of $743 million, $87 million higher than prior estimates. Positive economic performance since the November forecast and expected U.S. fiscal policy changes raise the revenue forecast in the next biennium $321 million above the November estimates adjusted for recent law changes. Increased forecast spending of $156 million and a small increase in the stadium reserve account partially offset the revenue gain leaving a projected balance available for the upcoming biennium of $1.650 billion, $250 million higher than prior estimates. The positive budget outlook continues into the planning estimates for the 2020-21 biennium, however federal policy unknowns create significant risk for this forecast.
Note that MMB acknowledges that there is significant risk underlying this projection. The economic forecasting group that Minnesota relies on assumes that federal tax rates will decrease and federal infrastructure spending will increase. Both would stimulate the economy. The forecasting group has not been able to make forecasts with regard to international trade, inflation and other factors raising the risk to the projections significantly.
Also, we just got news that U.S. News and World Reports rated Minnesota number 3 among states. Three is wonderful. We have the opportunity to strive for 1!
PREMPTION VOTE THURSDAY
The “preemption” bill has passed its final committee and will be debated by the full House on Thursday. This bill stops local communities from setting pro-worker policies such as sick leave, family leave, or a higher minimum wage. The measure also rolls back sick time for hundreds of thousands Twin Cities working people. This is really a bill that pushes back against local democracy and makes life harder for working families. Minnesotans have a strong work ethic and an even stronger sense of what is right and wrong. It’s not difficult to understand that rolling back benefits and stopping workers from getting ahead is not good for the economy and I will strongly oppose this bill.
ARTS DAY
Yesterday, constituents from Arts organizations visited for Arts Day at the Capitol. For more information on economic impacts of the arts, go to: www.creativeMN.org
TOWN HALL MEETINGS
Three Town Hall Meetings are also coming up in March. Saturday, March 4th at 11:30 a.m. at the Lonsdale Public Library; Saturday, March 11th at 10:00 a.m. at the Northfield Public Library; and Saturday, March 18th at 10:00 a.m. at the Montgomery Public Library. Please feel free to join me for these community meetings.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
David Bly
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