Greetings,
House budget targets released
House Republicans announced their budget targets on Monday; this is the last piece needed for committees to shape the budget for the next two years. With a $1.65 billion surplus it seems prudent to expect some tax reform, some spending on transportation infrastructure, and some investment in two of the largest budget areas of the state budget: health & human services and education. Two issues in the targets that stand out are a proposed $600 million cut to the state’s health and human services budget and less than adequate funding of education, including not funding voluntary pre-k.
The lack of a bonding bill for the last few years has created a backlog of projects all around the state and Minnesota’s roads and bridges need significant investments too. The target for the capital investment committee would allow for an $800 million bill each year. Past bonding chairs of both parties agree it is always more difficult to write a small bonding bill because you cannot put in enough projects to garner votes. The House majority seems reluctant to put forth a substantive bonding bill this year as they may not have enough majority members who would vote in support. Expecting minority members to vote in support of a small bill will be just as problematic.
Republicans also released their transportation funding plan this week, which takes $450 million from our current surplus. I’m open to using general fund dollars toward transportation, but it is also important to find sustainable revenue to support ongoing infrastructure needs.
Uncertainty at the federal level means we need to use caution with our budgeting here in Minnesota. Common sense investments in the areas that make Minnesota’s economy strong will help maintain our healthy economic outlook.
Packers Boys Basketball advances to state championship!
Congratulations to the Austin Packers Boys Basketball team on advancing to the Minnesota Class AAA Championship with a 73-53 win over Marshall on Thursday! Good luck to the boys as they face DeLaSalle at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Target Center.
If you have any questions or concerns on issues important to you, please feel free to contact me at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Poppe
State Representative