Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Joyce Peppin (R)

Back to profile

The Peppin Report (April 2, 2015)

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Dear Neighbor,

Happy Spring! Inside this edition of the Peppin Report:

  1. WCCO-TV Interview

  2. Met Council Chairman Pay Increase

  3. 2015 Legislative Survey

  4. Happy Easter/Passover

1) WCCO-TV Interview

On Sunday, March 29, I had the opportunity to speak with Rachel Slavik of WCCO-TV about the House Republican priorities for transportation and budget targets. I’m proud we have been able to put forward proposals that aim to address the needs of our state without imposing new taxes on hardworking Minnesotans. As we work through the committee process to produce specific budget plans, we’ll operate with the goal that government spending should not grow faster than family budgets.

2) Met Council Chairman Pay Increase

Earlier this session, the legislature passed and the governor signed reforms related to executive branch pay raises after the governor approved significant pay raises for members of his cabinet. The reforms included limiting the governor’s ability to raise the pay of cabinet members, cutting allocations made to state departments proportionate to the salary increase, freezing the commissioner salaries at the pre-2015 level, and restoring legislative oversight of executive branch pay raises.

With that law now enacted, I was surprised to learn recently that the chairman of the Met Council, Adam Duininck, is making twice as much than the pre-2015 salary level for his position. Not only am I disappointed that the governor decided to circle around the intent of the law, but I am curious to find out how this decision was made. Mr. Duininck told the Pioneer Press in late February that because he would only be making approximately $60,000, he was uncertain whether he could show up to the office every day given the cost of childcare. At what point after that interview did the governor grant Mr. Duininck a salary increase? Given the public concern about the taxpayer-funded salary increases, why did this information not become available sooner? What ultimately prompted the governor to make this decision? I’m eager to find the answers to these questions so Minnesotans can understand why the governor doubled the salary for one of his political appointees in violation of the spirit, if not the actual intent, of the law he signed earlier this session.

3) 2015 Legislative Survey

Last call for those interested in taking my 2015 Legislative Survey! Thank you to everyone who has filled it out thus far. I’m interested in getting your input on issues before the legislature this session. You can take the survey by going to my House webpage and clicking the “2015 Legislative Survey” link on the right-hand side of the screen.

If you would prefer to fill out the survey by hand, please contact my office and a survey will be mailed to your home.

4) Happy Easter/Passover

From my family to yours, I wish you a very happy Easter and Passover celebration!

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me as the legislative session moves forward. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155

 

Have a wonderful weekend,

 

Joyce