Dear neighbors,
The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn three weeks from today. We have a lot of work to do in order to get the job done on time.
The targets for the finance and tax conference committees announced by the Republican leaders in the House and Senate last week illustrate how formidable that challenge has become. An oversize tax bill and the insistence by the majority to only use general fund money for new funding for roads and bridges is starving other parts of the budget.
The $505 million cut to human services likely leaves no room for critically needed additional staff at the Minnesota Security Hospital or wage increases for the many people who provide care for people with disabilities. The targets for education are less than half what Gov. Dayton has proposed and will not cover inflation for our public schools and our state colleges and universities.
It’s a matter of priorities. Minnesota has a $1.65 billion surplus. There is room for a modest tax cut, increase to the rainy day fund, and making the necessary investments in education and human services.
I’ll be working for a resolution that provides long-term budget stability, reasonable tax relief, and targeted investments aimed at building a brighter a better future for all Minnesotans.
Sincerely,
Clark Johnson
State Representative