Dear Neighbor,
This is crunch time in the Legislature as we work to find resolution on a new two-year state budget before the deadline for adjourning at midnight Monday.
The House and Senate each have passed their own finance bills pertaining to numerous components of the state budget for 2016-17. The challenge now is to find a three-sided agreement between the bodies' respective proposals and what Gov. Mark Dayton is offering.
This will require compromise and I, like others, recognize there will be parts of the new budget I do not like. Reality is that, in a split government, nobody gets 100 percent of the things they want.
I am proud of the work the House did so far this session in approving a good batch of finance bills. Those bills have put us in a good starting position in terms of negotiating with the Senate and the governor. My hope is the finished product is one that respects taxpayers and the freedoms they enjoy under the Constitution.
The overall budget remains in a state of flux, but news of an agreement could come at any point. The House plans on meeting through the weekend to help put a new plan in place before adjournment. I will pass along more details as things develop.
As always, your input on the issues is welcome.
Sincerely,
Bob