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Dear Neighbor,
It’s budget time at the Capitol. Everything is going great ... except for the fact Democrats refuse to acknowledge their time to push radical ideas has ended because House Republicans broke up their trifecta of power.
Two years ago, they went hog wild and spent the nearly $20 billion surplus and raised taxes by $10 billion on top of that to expand state government spending by 40 percent. Now the bill on those promises they made is coming due and we face a $6 billion shortfall.
Which brings us to now, with House committees working to find agreement on omnibus finance packages to fund various sections of state government for the next two years. With a 67-67 party split in the House, Democrats are unwilling to concede their reckless spending of the last two years and help resolve the bottom line without even more tax increases.
For example, the paid-leave program monstrosity Democrats created is set to launch next January despite serious cost overruns and other issues. Keep in mind, the Department of Employment and Economic Development is administering this new program. That’s the same DEED that has not bothered trying to claw back $430 million in unemployment overpayments it made. Much has been made about the Feeding our Future scandal, and rightfully so, but that was $250 million. Where’s the follow-through on DEED’s unemployment overpayments that nearly double that total?
Our state government needs a serious housecleaning. Raising taxes to throw more money at bureaucracy is not the answer to a sustainable future. The sooner the former House majority faces that, the sooner we can pass a series of bills that make up the state’s next two year budget. House Republicans continue pushing for legislation that supports core priorities we share with Minnesotans (see right).
Education budget
K-12 education is an area where major differences in opinion still need to be resolved. House Republicans are focused on restoring common sense so we can focus on priorities in the classroom. The problem is House Democrats are unwilling to revisit the 65-plus mandates they placed on schools that have driven many districts into shortfalls. They’re even refusing a common-sense Republican proposal to have high-income earners pay for their own children’s lunches so we can use those savings to fund teacher pensions.
Here’s the big question: Are we going to put the political agenda of the Democratic Party first, or are we going to focus on what truly matters, namely the strength of our schools, the stability of our districts, and the success of our students? That’s the real decision in front of us and I’m happy to be on the side of local children, teachers and schools.
Veterans Day on the Hill
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 I want to thank all the veterans who showed up at the Capitol this week for a big Veterans Day on the Hill event. Thank you for your service and I am proud to do all I can to support you in the House. It became pretty clear at the rally that I’m not the only one who is frustrated with our governor! Click here for more.
Look for more from the Capitol soon. Until then, hope all is well and please stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Shane
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