Dear neighbors,
I hope you’re all hanging in there as the weather gets colder. Even though temperatures are dropping, there is plenty to look forward to during our holiday season. Here is an update from the Capitol.
Budget Deficit
Last week, Minnesota Management and Budget announced the November budget forecast, projecting a deficit of $188 million ($302 million when the full budget is passed). What’s worse – the deficit is set to grow over the next few years to $586 million.
Shortly after taking office, Governor Dayton fixed a massive deficit, paid back school funding shifts, and got the state on sound financial footing. Going into the 2017 session, Minnesota had a $1.6 billion budget surplus. Now just three years into their majority, the House Republicans already have sent us into a deficit. The irresponsible Republican budget plan turned that surplus into a deficit due in part to tax cuts for corporations like big tobacco and the wealthy.
As Minnesotans, we need to decide if we will have a soul to invest in people, or if prioritizing excessive tax cuts for corporations is the model for how we want to run this state. For my part, every time I will side with making sure our children have a solid education and food to eat, ensuring Minnesotans have quality health care, and that people with disabilities have the services they need to live full, productive lives.
This irresponsible budgeting, in addition to the Republican federal tax bill, threaten Minnesota’s economic stability and the livelihood of Minnesota families. I can assure you I will closely monitor our state budget and advocate for a plan to ensure that Minnesota works better for everyone, not just the wealthy.
Purchase of Water Buffalo
Recently, I made a donation to Heifer International on behalf of all members of the Legislature in order to facilitate the purchase of a herd of eight water buffalo. Heifer is an organization which works to end hunger and poverty around the world providing livestock and training to struggling communities.
Other legislators are receiving cards commemorating their “participation” in this purchase. I made this contribution not on my own behalf, but on behalf of all legislators in the spirit of bipartisanship and collaboration, giving all of us ownership of something that can make a tangible improvement somewhere in the world in people’s lives. No matter the final destination for the buffalo, which is not yet clear, I hope these will empower those in the community to foster sustainability.
Merry Christmas!
I wish that each and every one of you will have a wonderful holiday season and a very Merry Christmas. I hope that it will be filled with quality fellowship with family, friends, and others important to you. While much of the focus seems to be on giving and receiving material gifts, let’s not forget that time is a finite, tangible gift as well. I hope we can all share some of that with the people important to us. Not only that, but perhaps take some time to volunteer on behalf of an organization or cause you value.
Have a joyous, special holiday season, and I hope the New Year will be wonderful for you and your family as well. Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Jack Considine
State Representative