Greetings from the Capitol-
It's been budgets, budgets, budgets in committees since we've returned to St. Paul after the Passover/Easter Recess. I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with folks throughout the district while the legislature was on recess.
A few highlights in this week's update include: better than budgeted revenue receipts by the state, Officer Tommy Decker Memorial Highway, school trust land commission now underway and a chance to tour the Capitol on April 25 with others from central Minnesota.
Officer Tommy Decker Memorial Highway
On Thursday, April 11, both the Minnesota House and Senate passed bills out of their respective chambers that will rename an 11 mile stretch of Minnesota Highway 23 in the Cold Spring and Richmond area as the Officer Tom Decker Memorial Highway. The bill now travels to Gov. Mark Dayton for his signature.
Revenue Receipts
Minnesota has received good news! It was reported on April 10 by the Department of Management and Budget that during the two month period of February and March, the state received $145 million more in tax receipts than was forecasted for that period. These increases came in all tax receipt areas.
Since the passage of the 2011 budget, which we are currently operating under, our state was able to turn around a deficit of over $5 billion dollars. Given the additional revenues from February and March, the $627 million deficit projected for the next biennium will be reduced as well.
As you may recall, the DFL Majority in the House has introduced a budget plan and each committee is now working through their respective spending and budget bills before they are considered for final passage in a few weeks.
The budget proposes general fund spending of $39.3 billion for the next two years, which is a $4.1 billion increase in spending over the current two year cycle that ends on June 30, 2013. The plan would cover new spending with a tax on higher income individuals and other various sales taxes and fees. It will also dedicate an additional $700 million in K-12 and Higher Education spending and attempts to fully-fund all-day Kindergarten for public schools in Minnesota.
As you may have heard, the Governor and House DFL also plan to pass a bonding bill which borrows around $800 million to fund various projects around the state. You can read about the House plan details here.
Reminder – Day at the Capitol on Thursday, April 25
Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education is organizing a day trip to the State Capitol for a tour of our historic capitol building and also the Minnesota Judicial Center. I invite you to join us on April 25. It's a great time to visit St. Paul and see the legislature in action. We will no doubt be have floor sessions in the House and Senate on important measures before the state.
Details:
Course: MN CAP
Date: Thurs., April 25
Time: 8:00-6:00 PM
Location: MN State Capitol, St. Paul
Fee: $30
Register now at www.sartellststephencommunityed.com
School Trust Lands Commission Up and Running
The Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission, which I Chair, began meeting and will meet over the next few weeks to discuss and review legislative oversight for school trust land use throughout Minnesota. The commission is required to review statutes and to report annually to the legislature with recommendations for management of school trust fund lands to secure long-term economic return for the permanent school fund. So far, we have been working with the DNR to review current land holdings and existing state laws that impact the land holdings and their productivity.
In future updates, I will share with you more information about how the school trust lands are being used to increase funding to K-12 public education in Minnesota.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the Minnesota House.
Sincerely,
Tim