Dear neighbor,
We’ve been quite busy over the past several weeks as House Republicans transition to the majority next year. Last week, my office officially moved from 281 in the State Office Building to 459. My other contact information will remain the same.
In this edition:
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November Budget Forecast
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Committee Chairs Announced
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Elk River Star News Profile
1) November Budget Forecast
On December 4, the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its preliminary budget forecast. For the current biennium, there is a $556 million projected balance. By law, $183 million of this biennium’s balance will automatically go into the state budget reserve leaving $373 million. The projected surplus for Fiscal Years 2016-17 is $664 million. Combined with what is left from Fiscal Years 2014-15, there is $1.037 billion available in the upcoming biennium.
As we plan our budget targets and get to work next year, we know a surplus is not a mandate to simply spend more. As legislators, we're charged to be good stewards of taxpayers' dollars. That means we must never forget the reality that the tax dollars sent to St. Paul come straight out of the family budgets of Minnesotans. We're here to protect the family budgets of Minnesotans and make sensible decisions with their tax dollars.
2) Committee Chairs Announced
Speaker-designate Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) and I were pleased to announce last month the new committee chairs for the 2015 and 2016 legislative sessions last month. We have reduced the number of committees in the House by three and our committee chair assignments better reflect a geographic balance than the prior DFL majority, which had a disproportionate number of committee chairs from Minneapolis and St. Paul.
2015-16 Committee Name & Chair
Aging & Long-Term Care Policy: Rep. Joe Schomacker
Agriculture Finance: Rep. Rod Hamilton
Agriculture Policy: Rep. Paul Anderson
Capital Investment: Rep. Paul Torkelson
Civil Law & Data Practices: Rep. Peggy Scott
Commerce & Regulatory Reform: Rep. Joe Hoppe
Education Finance: Rep. Jenifer Loon
Education Innovation Policy: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Environment & Natural Resources Policy & Finance: Rep. Denny McNamara
Government Operations & Election Policy: Rep. Tim Sanders
Greater Minnesota Economic & Workforce Development Policy: Rep. Bob Gunther
Health & Human Services Finance: Rep. Matt Dean
Health & Human Services Reform: Rep. Tara Mack
Higher Education Policy & Finance: Rep. Bud Nornes
Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Legacy Funding Finance: Rep. Dean Urdahl
Mining & Outdoor Recreation Policy: Rep. Tom Hackbarth
Property Tax & Local Government Finance Division: Rep. Steve Drazkowski
Public Safety & Crime Prevention Policy & Finance: Rep. Tony Cornish
Rules & Legislative Administration: Rep. Joyce Peppin
State Government Finance: Rep. Sarah Anderson
Taxes: Rep. Greg Davids
Transportation Policy & Finance: Rep. Tim Kelly
Veterans Affairs Division: Rep. Bob Dettmer
Ways & Means: Rep. Jim Knoblach
Ethics: Rep. Sondra Erickson
3) Elk River Star News Profile
Recently, I was able to speak with the editor of the Elk River Star News about my new role as House Majority Leader, my previous experience at the legislature, as well as the priorities for House Republicans moving forward. You can read more here.
Although I’m taking on a new leadership role at the House, my door will always be open to the needs and priorities of Rogers, Dayton, and Maple Grove first and foremost. Please feel free to let me know if I can be of assistance to you and your family. I am here to serve you!
Have a wonderful week,
Joyce