Dear Friends,
This week the Governor gave his annual State of the State address. Typically the State of the State takes place early-on in session, and is a chance for the Governor to lay out his goals and legislative agenda. However, due to hip surgery, the Governor's speech was pushed back making it the latest State of the State address in more than 100 years.
What we heard on Wednesday was not surprising. Governor Dayton is good at taking credit, but not at taking responsibility for the Democrat policies that have had real negative impacts on Minnesota families.
He's happy to take credit for the budget surplus created thanks to the growth in Minnesota's economy under the Republican budget that didn't raise taxes and kept spending in check. But he didn't take responsibility for the largest spending increase paid for by one of the largest tax increases in the history of the state.
He's happy to take credit for improved education outcomes that came from Republican reforms he signed into law in 2011 under the Republican legislature, but he won't take responsibility for Democrats' illogical efforts to lower education standards by eliminating GRAD standard testing, and efforts this year to lower expectations and requirements for Minnesota teachers. Lowering standards for our teachers and students isn't the answer to improving education for students in our state.
The Governor also pressed a message of unity during his speech. While I welcome the governor's interest in unity and working together, actions speak louder than words. Nearly every major piece of legislation passed by Democrats over the past two years has failed to receive even one Republican vote, demonstrating an unwillingness to work together or incorporate ideas from across the aisle when it really counts.
Lastly, the Governor suggested that without a significantly larger bonding bill, important projects in Greater Minnesota might not get funded.
I couldn't disagree more. The bonding bill, like all things at the Capitol, is about priorities. What does it say about priorities when Democrats want to put more money toward one building in Minneapolis than all of the proposed road and bridge bonding projects statewide? This is another unfortunate example of Governor Dayton pitting Minneapolis and Saint Paul against Greater Minnesota. We can fund the important projects our state needs if we focus on priorities and geographic balance.
National Popular Vote
I've received a number of emails from constituents over the past several weeks about National Popular Vote (NPV). I have been a longtime staunch opponent of NPV, and have voted against it on multiple occasions in the past. If it comes to a vote this session, I plan to vote no again.
I've introduced alternative legislation that would address some of the concerns that some people have about making their vote count by allocating electoral votes by Congressional district rather than statewide vote total.
If you have any further questions about my position on this, or any other piece of legislation in the closing weeks of the 2014 session, you can contact my office at 651-296-5364 or by email at rep.kurt.daudt@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
Kurt Daudt
House Republican Leader
State Representative, District 31A