Dear Neighbors,
I hope you and your family had a very nice Mother’s Day! Roxanne and I enjoyed time with our grandkids, Max, Alexis, Jackson, and Maya.
SESSION UPDATE
Less than a week remains until the Legislature is constitutionally mandated to end for the year. We are debating smaller bills on the calendar while we await a final bonding bill and supplemental budget bill.
Bonding bills are passed in even-numbered years to fund statewide construction projects. The current $846 million House proposal is heavy on Twin Cities projects and recreational items that don’t have statewide significance—like a snow blowing machine, ski chalet, and entertainment venue upgrades—instead of critical road and bridge repair work.
I strongly believe we should be funding infrastructure, flood protection, roads and asset preservation first, not last. We need to determine our needs, not act on our wants.
The bill is bound to change in negotiations from now until it’s debated on Thursday. I will keep you updated on the final version of the bill.
The supplemental budget bill is still being worked out by senators and representatives in conference committee. They are determining how to allocate the state’s $1 billion surplus.
Prior to conferring, each involved party had a different spending target. The House DFL plans to spend $321 million, the Senate $209 million, and the Governor $141 million. A compromise must be reached between all sides.
Since the surplus dollars are a result of the efforts put forth by hardworking taxpayers, I would prefer to see more tax relief and little to no spending. The DFL, in one-party control of state government, has already grown spending by $3 billion over the last two years. We don’t need to needlessly spend more of the hard-earned tax money you have sent to St. Paul!
FABIAN ON “YOUR LEGISLATORS”
Last week I was a guest on the public television program “Your Legislators”. I addressed several issues important to our area. Click the video below to watch!
SHOULD LEGISLATORS BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR OWN PAY RAISES?
I believe legislators should be held accountable to the public if they decide to give themselves a pay raise. Representatives and senators are all too aware of the election-time consequences should they bump their annual salaries above $31,000. Quite frankly, that’s the reason why there haven’t been legislative pay raises since 1999.
However, my DFL colleagues want to give a new politically-appointed board the power to set legislative pay. They have put a constitutional question on the 2016 ballot that will read:
“Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to remove state legislators' ability to set their own salaries, and instead establish an independent, citizens-only council to prescribe salaries for legislators?”
(Note: States that have established a legislative pay council have seen legislators’ pay rise as a result.)
At first blush it seems like a good idea to “Remove Lawmakers' Power to Set Their Own Pay” (the title of the question). Who wouldn’t want to take away the temptation for lawmakers to raise their own pay?
But I believe this approach is misleading to the public. When lawmakers’ power to set their own pay is removed, so are accountability standards to the people who elected them. If part-time legislators truly need greater pay, let them convince the public in an open and honest way—not hidden behind a politically-appointed council.
REVENUE BELOW PROJECTIONS
Minnesota Management and Budget released Minnesota’s last monthly review before the legislature adjourns showing year-to-date receipts are $78 million less than forecast. March was the third straight month where revenues have come in below forecast.
I am concerned that the DFL’s 2013 budget that increased taxes and fees by $2.4 billion and government spending by $3 billion is starting to have a negative impact on the economy.
VISITORS
I attended a S.E. Minnesota Irrigators Association meeting in Farmington. Ten Republican legislators showed up to listen to farmers’ concerns about the DNR not issuing appropriation permits for their irrigation systems.
The DNR is dragging its feet and putting farmers in jeopardy for the upcoming growing season. This situation is not unique to S.E. Minnesota, but is in reality a growing problem statewide in agricultural areas.
Hockey legend Henry Boucha stopped by the Minnesota House of Representatives on Monday. Click the video below to watch me introduce him to the chamber.
Josie Steen, a sixth grader from Lancaster, recently visited the State Capitol with her grandparents, Randy and Peggy Nordin.
It was great to meet with the Hempels from Thief River Falls!
FISHING OPENER
I hope all you anglers had luck on the fishing opener this past Saturday!
Reminder: Don’t confuse the openers
True, the traditional walleye and northern pike fishing opener is on Saturday, May 10. But whether you can keep other types of fish depends. The opener for bass, for example, is Saturday, May 24, in the southern part of Minnesota, while the opener for muskie is Saturday, June 7.
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My door is always open to the needs and priorities of our area. Please feel free to let me know if I can be of assistance to you and your family. I am here to serve you!
Dan
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01A