Dear friends,
This week, the House Majority announced its budget framework. The budget framework includes targets for each of the finance committees to meet as they choose which policy initiatives to fund.
The House plan structurally balances the budget and pays off the $627 million deficit by using new revenue, spending cuts and reforms. After a decade of shifts, borrowing and budget deficits, this plan will set our state on stable financial footing into the future.
In addition, the new budget proposal fully pays back the $854 million owed to schools due to borrowing by the previous legislature. The House plan invests a historic $700 million in early childhood through post-secondary education. This will allow the legislature to work on initiatives such as early childhood education, all-day kindergarten, alignment between secondary and post secondary education and stabilizing post secondary tuition costs.
In terms of economics, the budget plan allots $46 million for job creation measures. It is important for the legislature to make sure Minnesota is economically competitive and provides a robust and stable job market.
While Governor Dayton recently dropped his property tax relief proposal, the House majority’s budget includes $250 million in middle-class property tax relief. Property taxes have skyrocketed 85% in the last decade and this relief would go a long way towards helping homeowners and renters.
In the area of health and human services, the House budget calls for $150 million in cost saving measures and reforms. These cost-savings are needed to reign in state spending in this growing area of our budget, but we must make sure that we continue to protect our seniors and most vulnerable citizens while doing so.
The House proposal varies from Governor Dayton’s budget, but we share many of the same priorities such as education and job creation. I look forward to working with the Governor, legislators and community members as we work to put forth a final budget proposal that makes Minnesota strong and prosperous for years to come.
Education Forum
Please join Representative Paul Marquart, Chair of the House Education Finance Committee, me and school district leaders for a forum discussion this Friday.
Friday, March 21
11:00 a.m.
City of Mankato Intergovernmental Center
10 Civic Center Plaza Mankato, MN, 56001
Please contact me with your suggestions and input on budget measures or any other legislative issues. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-3248 or by email at rep.kathy.brynaert@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Kathy Brynaert
State Representative
Mankato