Friends,
It was a busy final week of the legislative session. We worked through the weekend and finally adjourned Sunday night, having completed our work with time to spare. Unfortunately, a few days later Governor Dayton made the unfortunate choice to veto a number of the bills, more on that below.
This weekend I look forward to spending time with my family and reflecting on the many service men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. This Memorial Day Weekend, give thanks for all who have served, but especially those who have died in service to our great country.
Governor Dayton Vetoes Bills
On Wednesday, Governor Mark Dayton vetoed the tax conformity-emergency education compromise plan as well as the omnibus supplemental spending agreement that was sent to his desk on Sunday by the legislature. This was incredibly disappointing, especially since he seemed to lack actual objections to the proposals at a press conference this week announcing the vetoes.
Governor Dayton's veto of tax conformity, school safety, and emergency funding for schools will hurt Minnesota families. It's truly disappointing and unfortunate that the governor chose to play politics rather than do what is best for Minnesota families.
Our compromise plan included an average of $96 in new per-pupil spending across the state, education dollars the governor repeatedly called an emergency. These schools will now receive no new money due to this veto by the governor.
A partial list of those affected by Governor Dayton's vetoes include:
More Details on Vetoed Bills
The tax conformity and education plan were part of a compromise effort between legislative Republicans and Governor Dayton. The federal conformity plan protected taxpayers, simplified Minnesota's tax code, and provided the first income tax rate cut in nearly 20 years. It also made available more than $225 million to help students—nearly $100 million more than what the governor requested—provided new money and additional flexibility for school districts to address budget shortfalls.
In the supplemental budget bill, House and Senate Republicans compromised with the governor—more than 60 percent of the objections raised by the governor were removed or amended—meeting him more than halfway. The bill contained shared priorities like ensuring safe schools, repairing roads and bridges, tackling the opioid epidemic, protecting aging and vulnerable adults, and preventing a cut to caregivers of disabled Minnesotans.
The bills we sent to the governor build on the tremendously successful accomplishments from the 2017 session that included the largest tax cut in nearly two decades, the largest investment in roads and bridges in state history without a gas tax increase, major funding boosts for education, and reforms to lower health care costs and boost health care choices for Minnesota families.
Again, I am extremely disappointed with the actions of Governor Dayton.
Hopeful for Bonding Bill
Despite Governor Dayton's vetoes, there is still hope that he will sign the Bonding Bill that passed both the House and Senate with the bipartisan supermajority needed for bonding projects. The bonding bill is an infrastructure-heavy, geographically balanced capital investment package featuring $825 million in general obligation bonding to fund construction projects throughout the state. The majority of funding is dedicated to bricks-and-mortar projects, such as roads and bridges, school safety, water infrastructure, and statewide asset preservation. In addition, the bonding bill includes $32 million for the construction of new veterans homes in Bemidji, Montevideo, and Preston, as well as $10 million for the renovation of existing homes.
There are two key projects in our area that would be funded in the Bonding Bill:
May Town Hall
This upcoming Tuesday, May 29th, at 6:00 PM I will be holding my monthly town hall at Maple Grove Community Center. These are always great events and I hope to see you there!
Please continue to share your thoughts with me about our state government; bill ideas and concerns are welcomed! I am honored to serve you at the Capitol. If you are going to be at or around the Capitol, please stop by or schedule a meeting. My email address is Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, phone number 651-296-5502, and by mail: 375 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Have a great weekend!
Dennis