Here is an update on my work at the Capitol.
February Budget Forecast Shows Improving Economy
Last Thursday, legislators were given a positive economic forecast report from Minnesota Management & Budget. Minnesota’s projected budget deficit for 2014-2015 is now $627 million, a small fraction of the original estimate of $4.4 billion two years ago. This was a result of stronger than expected economic growth under Republican fiscal policies enacted in 2011. Just two years ago, Republican majorities in St. Paul took on the difficult task of balancing the state’s massive budget deficit while not impeding the economic growth necessary to refill state revenue accounts. These policies have delivered steady, consistent improvements to the budget outlook.
Another alarming piece of news was when Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans admitted in committee that Governor Dayton’s budget plan would tax babysitting. You can watch the exchange where Commissioner Frans makes that admission by clicking here. Yes, your 13 year old daughter who babysits and your 14 year old son who shovels the neighbor's driveway will have to collect and report sales tax.
In light of this positive economic news, Governor Dayton’s tax and spending increases aren’t wise fiscal policy, and moreover, they aren’t fair to the people of Minnesota. With the economy slowly recovering, now is not the time to dramatically increase government spending and force tax increases through the Legislature. I urge the Governor and his DFL legislative allies to put together a budget that requires the state to live within its means, just like working families in Scott County do every day. We’ve proven it works.
Scott County Legislators to Hold In-District Hours
State Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake), Representative Mike Beard (R-Shakopee) and me will hold In-District Hours for Scott County residents on Saturday, March 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Prior Lake Library.
Meeting Schedule
Saturday, March 23, 2013
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Prior Lake Library
Meeting Room
16210 Eagle Creek Ave. SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Meetings at the Capitol
Here are a few of the visitors I’ve met with in the last two weeks:
-
Andy Schwandt on scrap metal issues
-
Group from the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition
-
Group from River Valley YMCA
-
Thom Boncher, Mike Griffin, Margaret Fink, Jim Fink, Pete Ewals, Deb Ewals from Jordan on frac sand mining
-
Dr. Dave Linde and Dr. Sue Block for Dental Day at the Capitol
State Healthcare Exchange
The Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) bill was passed last night by the House of Representatives without my support. The Exchange officially brings Obamacare to Minnesota through a multi-million dollar government entity with little accountability to the public or taxpayers.
I heard the bill in the House Health & Human Services Policy Committee and had the same concerns with it then as I do now. The new super agency limits consumer choice, jeopardizes patient data privacy, and raises the cost of health insurance. President Obama promised Americans when signing the Affordable Care Act that they would be able to keep their doctor and their premiums wouldn’t increase. Both of these are proving to be systematically false as the MN Health Exchange comes to life. Never in our history has an entity been created with such enormous power, the HIX even has exemptions that shroud the agency in secrecy and limit public notice. Many of the same elements of Obamacare that alarmed all of us after its passage are now hitting close to home.
“Savings” that the bill’s authors have publicized are from federal subsidies – unstable ‘funny money’ which is mostly borrowed. The Exchange seeks to control the entire health insurance market to limit your choice and prevent you from choosing your own doctor. It will be governed by a politically-appointed board of seven members that choose which plans get into the system and which ones don’t. This is unprecedented in Minnesota, a state where we have prided ourselves on having great health care already.
On party-line votes, the new Democrat majority defeated our amendments to require that the HIX be subject to oversight and accountability to taxpayers. It now moves on to Conference Committee.
Unionizing Child Care Small Businesses
A bill establishing a “statewide unit for all family child care providers” in Minnesota has been introduced again this year. This issue also arose in 2011 when Gov. Dayton attempted to use an executive order to conduct a union vote for licensed childcare providers. Ramsey County Judge Dale Lindman later ruled that the governor’s directive was an “unconstitutional usurpation of the legislature’s constitutional right to make or amend our laws.”
The local citizens I’ve spoken with indicate they are against this union push and are concerned about how it would impact their operation. I do not believe government unions should be injecting themselves into private daycare contracts. Child care decisions should be left between parents and the providers.
Another top concern is how even those providers who opt out of joining the union will be forced to pay a fair share union due rate of 85 percent. This new fee will be passed along to parents and raise the price of daycare.
As always, please contact me with your thoughts and questions.
Sincerely,
Tony