NEWS RELEASE
Omnibus Bill Right-Sizes State Government
ST. PAUL, Minn.—On Tuesday morning, the House State Government Finance Committee Omnibus Bill was released to the public, authored by Representative Sarah Anderson (R-Plymouth). The budget bill allocates funding to several core state agencies for Fiscal Years 2016-17, spending in total $902.6 million dollars.
A key focus of the legislation is increasing oversight of state government spending, especially after recent waste and fraud allegations against Community Action of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Urban League and the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency.
"Minnesotans expect us to spend their tax dollars wisely and efficiently," said Rep. Anderson. "Last biennium, state government spending increased three times faster than economic growth. That's not sustainable, nor is it responsible. This omnibus bill right-sizes government with commonsense reforms including limiting future commissioner pay raises, freezing full-time equivalents (FTEs), and streamlining government."
Included in the bill is a provision that any future commissioner pay raise must be less than inflation (the consumer price index) or the Minnesota median household increase, whichever is lower.
There is also no new funding for the Senate Office Building.
Finally, it limits state government growth and encourages efficiencies with an FTE freeze, while still ensuring we protect state workers providing essential services like mental health care and public safety. The average cost per FTE for FY2014 was approximately $68,524.
"It's time to restore citizens' confidence in our state by practicing responsible budgeting that supports a healthy economy for all Minnesotans," added Rep. Anderson. "This omnibus bill helps make our state government more efficient, sustainable and accountable to hardworking taxpayers."
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Rep. Anderson is the state representative for House District 44A, which includes Plymouth.