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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jeff Howe (R)

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Memorial Day wishes and the latest from the Capitol

Friday, May 22, 2015

Dear Neighbor,

Best wishes for Memorial Day as we take time to honor the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America, the Greatest Nation the world has ever seen..

Local citizens are encouraged to get out and attend a local ceremony to honor our fallen service people. Here is a rundown of events, including information about one at the St. Cloud VA, where I will be speaking.

  • 1:30 p.m. Sunday - State Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony.

  • 8 a.m. Monday - Cold Spring Memorial Day Ceremony in the American Legion Post No. 455.

  • 9 a.m. Monday - Sartell Memorial Day Ceremony in the Veterans Park on Riverside Avenue.

  • 9:30 a.m. Monday - Randall Memorial Day Ceremony at the Dr. S.G. Knight School.

  • 10 a.m. Monday - Long Prairie Memorial Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park.

  • 10 a.m. Monday - Swanville Memorial Day Ceremony in the Swanville School gym.

  • 10:30 a.m. Monday - St. Cloud VA Memorial Day Ceremony: parking lot of St. Cloud VA.

As for news from the Capitol, we are still waiting for Gov. Mark Dayton to act on several bills the Legislature approved to set a new two-year state budget. A long-time Senator called this the most bipartisan session he's seen.

One thing that proved interesting this year is a forecast projects a $2 billion state surplus. Unrealistic spending expectations on the part of some clashed with the belief of others that state government should not be growing faster than family budgets. Over the last 15 years, families have seen 12-percent growth, while state spending has risen by 75 percent in that span.

We can look at increased funding for nursing homes and K-12 education as positives, but it is disappointing House proposals for a long-term transportation commitment and $ 2 billion in tax relief for seniors, veterans, farmers and more stalled.

The funding increase for nursing homes was a top priority of mine, so I'm pleased to see we provided another $138 million for care centers. There is more we could have done to help seniors, such as passing a bill to stop taxing Social Security income benefits, and it is very disappointing the Senate and Gov. Mark Dayton did not help us make that happen.

K-12 education also received prioritization. The final legislation which passed provides school districts with $400 million in new funding (an increase of 1.5 percent in 2016 and 2 percent in 2017). This budget dedicates more per pupil than Dayton proposed in his own budget plan, yet he has decided to veto the bill because the House and Senate agreement does not fund universal pre-K.

It is disappointing the governor's negotiation team walked away from the table late in negotiations. There was a $150 million gap between the initial proposals, but the House agreed to come up by $100 million. The governor would only come down $25 million and now he has vetoed the entire bill and is expected to call the Legislature back for a special session.

Transportation was another big-ticket item this year with mixed results. It is good we prevented a proposal to raise the gas tax by at least 16 cents per gallon from passing. The House voted 132-0 against that plan, but the governor's insistence that it pass ultimately derailed the House's comprehensive transportation plan. The package we offered would have put $7 billion toward roads and bridges over the next 10 years, partly relying on a bill I authored to dedicate tax dollars already being paid on purchases of auto parts to our roads.

The Legislature ended up passing a smaller transportation plan that provides $5 million in additional funds for Greater Minnesota transit, as well as $12.5 million in new funding towns with populations under 5,000 residents can use for road work.

Also, a jobs/energy bill the Legislature sent to the governor helps Greater Minnesota thrive by focusing on private-sector job and business growth, filling vacant positions for skilled workers and more. There is $4 million for workforce housing in Greater Minnesota and $10.5 million for broadband grants.

Various budget bills remain in the hands of the governor and we soon will see how he will decide to act upon them. Stay tuned and, again, have a safe Memorial Day weekend.

Good luck,

Jeff