If the state ever experiences another government shutdown like the one last summer, the Minnesota State Lottery and the Racing Commission might be immune from its impact.
That’s the premise of
HF2003, sponsored by Rep. Kelby Woodard (R-Belle Plaine). The House Government Operations and Elections Committee approved the bill Feb. 14 and sent it to the House State Government Finance Committee. There is no Senate companion.
Woodard argues there’s no sense in shutting down operations that make money for the state — especially when they’re funded through special revenue streams that have no real bearing on the Legislature’s political disagreements over the budget.
“These horse tracks and the related industries to them employ thousands of Minnesotans and provide revenue to the state, even when the state is in a government shutdown,” Woodard said.
Opponents asked whether it was fair to single out specific agencies for protection against a shutdown — or conversely, why the Legislature shouldn’t simply let all agencies and programs continue in the event of a shutdown.
“How many more bills are we going to have that carve out different parts of government and put them on continuing resolutions, putting them on autopilot?” said Rep. Mike Nelson (DFL-Brooklyn Park).
Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-Mpls) asked whether Woodard thinks the same should be done for all of state government.
“It’s an important question,” Woodard replied. “In some circumstances — this being one — the Legislature needs to take a proactive approach.”
Another state entity — the Gambling Control Board — might be added to the bill at its next committee stop. Rep. Mike Beard (R-Shakopee) said that much like the other two agencies, the board operates autonomously and would like to be included in the bill.