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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mark Uglem (R)

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News from Representative Uglem 04-22-2013

Monday, April 22, 2013
Dear Friends,
 
It's been a busy week here at the legislature. We debated and passed five budget bills last week; Jobs, Public Safety, Judiciary, Environment/Agriculture, and State Government Finance. Many of these bills featured double-digit percent increases, as well as tens of millions in new fees on the hardworking taxpayers of this state.
 
Included in the Environment/Agriculture bill alone were $14 million dollars in fees on everything from lake properties to water used by residences and farmers. They represented a hidden tax increase on nearly every hardworking Minnesotan in this state. I simply cannot support these kinds of fee increases when there is so much wasteful spending in these bills.
 
In the case of many of the bills thus far, there are indeed provisions where there is bipartisan agreement. However the double-digit percent increases in some budget areas paid for by numerous new fees really negates my ability to support these budget bills.
 
I did end up voting in favor of the Public Safety omnibus bill. I firmly believe Public Safety is one of the key functions of government, and should be funded appropriately. It contained a very reasonable budget increase, and those increases were to pay for good projects such as the upgrade to the 911 emergency system and more scientists for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
 
Health and Human Services
Today we are debating the Health and Human Services Omnibus bill, which features a $150 million dollar overall cut. Included in that cut is a $26 million dollar cut to baseline funding for nursing homes and senior care centers. With over $3 billion dollars in new taxes and fees being proposed, I hope the majority will reconsider and fully fund the promises that were made under the last budget to senior care centers and nursing homes.
 
I will continue to examine and weigh each of these budget bills on their merits. It has been helpful to read your comments, and I continue to seek your feedback as the process continues. If you have thoughts, comments, concerns, or questions about any of the budget areas, I hope you will let me know.
 
Have a great week,

Mark Uglem
State Representative, District 36A