Having trouble viewing this email?? [ [link removed] ]View it as a Web page [ [link removed] ].






ODriscoll




Greetings,

?

*BUDGET SURPLUS NOW, BUDGET DEFICIT LATER*

On Thursday, state lawmakers learned that Minnesota is projected to see a $3.7 billion budget surplus for the remainder of this budget cycle but will face a $1.5 billion budget deficit during our next budget cycle. There?s little doubt the upcoming projected shortfall was caused by irresponsible fiscal decisions made by the majority party last year, when a $17 billion surplus was spent, an additional $10 billion in taxes were raised, and state government spending increased by 40%. Spending people?s money doesn?t help taxpayers, and this is money we should have given back to them.

?

Because Minnesota requires a balanced budget, the short-term surplus funding will need to be dedicated before session ends. Please know that I will be fighting for fiscal restraint as discussions move forward, and I will keep you posted on the decisions being made in the Minnesota House as they become available.

?

*HELPING THE LABOR SHORTAGE*

This week, the Minnesota House Commerce Committee heard my bill that would allow a 17-year-old waiter or waitress to serve alcoholic beverages at a bar or restaurant. Current law requires anyone serving alcohol to be aged 18 or older.

?

Under this bill, 17-year-olds would receive the same training and supervision as other staff members serving alcohol.?To me, the legislation is a win-win situation: It gives business owners a choice to employ high school juniors and seniors and develop a working relationship, and it gives 17-year-olds another work opportunity that could lead to significant tip revenue that they could use to help pay for college. It also addresses some of the labor problems being found in the hospitality industry. The proposal was held over for possible inclusion in an omnibus liquor bill that will be unveiled later this session.

?

*LOCAL VISITORS*

?Firefighter Day at the Capitol? took place this week, and Senator Howe, Representative Perryman and I were pleased to meet with a number of fire officials from our area.

Firefighters

A number of local physicians stopped by for ?Physicians Day at the Capitol.?

Physicians

?Library Day on the Hill? also took place, and I was able to visit with Great River Library Executive Director Karen Pundsack, among others.

Library

I also visited with folks from the Minnesota Beverage Association.

Beverage

Thanks for stopping by!

?

*KEEP IN TOUCH*

As always, I'm continuing to support constituent needs. Feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected] <[email protected]>_._?or by phone at?651-296-7808.

?

Have a good weekend,

?

Tim






Facebook Logo

?





237 State Office Bldg.
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-7808
[email protected]







________________________________________________________________________

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ [link removed] ]. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com [ [link removed] ].

This service is provided to you at no charge by Minnesota House GOP [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota House GOP ? 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. ? Saint Paul, MN 55155 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]