Dear Neighbor,
Action has shifted to more and longer floor sessions at the Capitol this week as we discuss the House Democrat majority’s bills to establish our state budget for the new biennium.
Traditionally, legislation pertaining to the agriculture portion of our budget receives wide bipartisan support. That was not the case this year. It only passed the House 69-61 on Thursday because of strong concern over increases in fees and taxes throughout the bill.
In all, the bill spends $822 million, with steep fee increases included in the bill. Increases pertaining to water usage will force cities, businesses, farmers, agricultural processors – and anyone else that needs a water-appropriation permit – to pay much higher fees. Fellow farmers have told me they are OK with a nominal fee increase for irrigation, but not the 200- to 500-percent increase this bill includes.
In addition to fee increases on water permit fees, lake property and many consumer products are subject to hikes. A “product stewardship” recycling program would directly increase the price of paint, carpet, and all batteries that you use for products in your home. Like so many of the budget bills we are seeing take shape, these increases would affect all hard-working Minnesotans, from businesses to farmers and families. In all, House Democrats announced this week they are looking to raise taxes by $2.6 billion.
I had strong objections to the new majority abandoning agriculture as a stand-alone committee when they lumped it in with an environmental panel at the beginning of the session. I saw the potential for farmers’ interests to be muddled by Twin Cities legislators and, unfortunately, we are seeing that unfold.
One bill we expect to pick up next week pertains to the Health and Human Services budget. This is the second-largest portion of our budget, only behind K-12 education. There is significant cause for uneasiness with this bill because it includes cuts to nursing homes and senior living facilities. I am working hard with fellow legislators from Greater Minnesota to draw attention to the problems this would cause in the hopes Democrat leaders will reassess this bill before it is too late. I will write more on this issue next week when we have more to report.
I will keep you updated as things develop in St. Paul. We plan to be on the House floor a considerable amount today and are scheduled to be back at the Capitol Saturday as well. At least our winter-like weather will make it easier to stay inside!
Sincerely,
Paul