Dear neighbors,
With just a few weeks to go, we are entering the negotiation portion of the legislative session. Legislative Republicans have passed their budget bills, and the Governor has presented his budget. Now we have to work together to produce a final package on which all parties can agree.
While those negotiations take place, I thought you should know my thoughts on each of the omnibus budget bills that passed out of the Republican-controlled Minnesota House.
Public Safety
The Omnibus Public Safety Bill contains enhanced penalties for terrorist acts, sex offenders, and people who possess and create child pornography. These measures are widely supported, but the bill also contains more provisions to increase penalties for peaceful protests, and to allow private prisons to operate in Minnesota — allowing corporations to profit off of our justice system.
Transportation
The Omnibus Transportation Bill does not include sustainable, long-term funding for roads, bridges, and transit. What’s more, it pits regions of Minnesota against one another instead of providing a transportation vision to benefit the whole state. The bill would result in a 40% reduction in regular bus route service, and doesn’t include funding to finish Southwest Light Rail (SWLRT). The bill redirects funding away from schools, nursing homes, public safety, and other areas to make only minimal investments in our transportation infrastructure.
E-12 Education
The Omnibus E-12 Education Bill underfunds our public schools, which would result in teacher lay-offs, larger class sizes, and fewer resources for students. It also eliminates funding for optional, free pre-kindergarten for thousands of students across the state, shortchanging our students.
Higher Education
The Omnibus Higher Education Bill underfunds the University of Minnesota and public colleges and universities, which would lead to increases in four year tuition for students. Minnesota already holds the fifth highest student debt in the nation.
Environment & Natural Resources
The Omnibus Environment & Natural Resources Bill rolls back environmental protections and cuts funding that protects our natural resources, endangering Minnesota’s lands, waters, air, and wildlife.
Job Growth & Energy
The Omnibus Job Growth & Energy Bill cuts job creation efforts and consumer protections, halts racial and economic disparities efforts, underfunds workforce housing, and rolls back Minnesota’s renewable energy progress.
State Government
The Omnibus State Government Finance Bill puts Minnesotans at risk by not investing in cybersecurity and slashing government services like the Department of Human Rights, which investigates claims of discrimination against Minnesotans. The bill would lay-off hardworking Minnesotans, and deregulates elections — paving the way for more “dark money” and corporate influence in campaigns.
Health & Human Services
The Omnibus Health & Human Services Bill cuts $600 million from the HHS budget, putting our entire health care system in jeopardy—including vital services Minnesotans depend on. This is especially reckless at a time when we face serious federal uncertainty surrounding health care. This budget does not give our home care workers the raise they deserve and it does little to expand child care services to working parents who need them.
Taxes
The cuts and underfunding in other budget bills make way for the spending in the tax bill. The Omnibus Tax Bill contains tax cuts favoring corporations and the rich, including a $161 million estate tax cut for the wealthiest Minnesotans and a business property tax freeze. The bill excludes other measures to help hardworking families such as the Working Family Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Credit, and Local Government Aid (LGA) to reduce property taxes for homeowners and renters.
Legacy
The Legacy Funding Bill allocates constitutionally dedicated funds to outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and culture projects. This measure passed the House unanimously, unlike many of the more controversial bills listed previously, and signals hope for bipartisan compromise this session.
Agriculture
The bipartisan Omnibus Agriculture Bill supports farmers and farm workers in a variety of ways — including work on farm safety, funding for mental health counselors, and increased funding for farm advocates.
As you know, none of these bills will become law without Gov. Mark Dayton’s approval. So I expect most of these bills will change significantly before they reach the Governor’s desk. What the final bill looks like for each committee, however, is dependent on how well we organize a response. To tell the Governor about your family’s priorities, I encourage you to contact him at 651-201-3400.
Rep. Peggy Flanagan
309 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155