St. Paul, Minnesota – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives started their legislative session by passing a bill to increase funding to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The bill would appropriate $20 million from the state’s General Fund for fiscal year 2014 and any unspent funds as of June 30, 2014 would return to the General Fund.
Representatives Shannon Savick (DFL – Wells) is hoping this productive start will help build on the progress made during the 2013 Legislative Session.
“The propane issue, for some people, is becoming a matter of health and safety,” said Rep. Savick. “This bill will help offer support for more families in our area that are still struggling to keep warm during this brutal winter. It’s a good start to what will hopefully be a very positive session.”
Last session began with the legislature facing a $600 million deficit and $800 million in debt to Minnesota schools. The legislature passed a balanced budget last year and now all of the money borrowed from schools has been paid back and the state is anticipating a $850 million budget surplus. Additionally, Minnesota created more than 50,000 jobs in 2013 and has fully regained all the jobs lost during the Great Recession.
This session, action began quickly. Aside from the passing of heating assistance, the House Taxes Committee was meeting to discuss middle-class tax relief through federal tax conformity and the repeal of business-to-business taxes, including the warehouse tax, farm equipment repair tax, and the telecommunications equipment tax.
“These are real priorities for us this session,” said Rep. Savick. “Our business and farmers are the ones who have driven our economy forward up until now, and we need to ensure that they can continue to keep our economy going in the future.”
Legislators will also be working to pass a statewide bonding bill. Because bonding bills require a three-fifths majority, the bill will need bipartisan support.
“The local projects in our area like the Fountain Lake cleanup, the Blazing Star Trail, and improvements at Riverland are very important,” said Savick. “I’ve worked tirelessly with Rep. Alice Hausman, the Chair of the Capital Investment Committee, to make sure we get those projects included in the House bill.”
Another focal point will be an increase in the state’s minimum wage. Minnesota’s current minimum wage is $6.15, while the federal minimum wage is $7.25. Only two states — Georgia and Wyoming — have a lower minimum wage than Minnesota.
Finally, Governor Dayton has deemed the 2014 Session as the “Unsession,” a chance to make state government more efficient and better serve taxpayers.