Republican leaders call on Dayton to release detailed budget plan

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Republican legislative leaders called on Gov. Mark Dayton to release more details on his proposed budget, and said Dayton is playing politics with a potential government shutdown.At a press conference, the leaders said Dayton hasn’t offered a detailed budget proposal in more than 90 days. House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) called it a “very sad and troubling milestone.”In May, Dayton offered to cut his proposed tax increases in half, from $3.6 billion to $1.8 billion, but did not identify specifically which programs he would cut. Zellers called on Dayton to do just that.“It’s only fair to us — more importantly, to the people of Minnesota — that he come to the table and show us where his priorities are,” he said.Unless Dayton and lawmakers enact a new biennial budget by July 1, a state government shutdown may be necessary. Zellers said Republicans are “absolutely committed” to avoiding a shutdown, but also restated their opposition to tax increases, which he said would “squash economic recovery.”Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-Buffalo) said Dayton should call lawmakers back into session to pass budget bills on which there is agreement or near agreement. She said Republicans might also be open to a “lights-on” bill to fund government temporarily, but emphasized there is still time for a complete budget agreement.“All options for us are on the table because a shutdown is completely unnecessary,” Koch said.Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina) suggested the governor is making a “raw political power move” to shut down state government.“He is sprinting toward the shutdown with a pessimistic tone and outlook. Continue Reading

Republicans offer to drop tax relief, Dayton rejects

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Republican leaders offered to drop their plans for nearly $203 million in tax relief in a bid to help bring budget talks closer to a deal, but Gov. Mark Dayton rejected the offer.The new proposal by House and Senate Republican leaders would match Dayton’s spending plan in several budget areas. It incorporates an earlier offer to increase spending on K-12 education, public safety and courts.“We have presented what I would probably call the biggest compromise of the negotiations,” said House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove). “We have withdrawn 100 percent of our request for tax relief.”Dropping the tax cuts would add nearly $203 million to the state’s bottom line. In exchange, the leaders said they want Dayton to drop his request for $1.8 billion in new tax revenue.Dayton dismissed the offer as a ploy and said the Republicans “haven’t budged one dollar.”“The Republican leadership’s non-proposal is extremely, extremely disappointing,” he said.Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-Buffalo) said Republicans will rescind the offer Monday, June 20, unless Dayton offers a detailed counter-proposal. She added that many Republicans didn’t want to give up the tax relief part of their budget.“It’s an additional $200 million in spending — spending that our members were not interested in doing,” she said.Dayton said he would not negotiate specific budget areas until Republicans agree to meet him halfway on his request for new revenue. Continue Reading

Lawmakers, commissioners debate ‘framework’ for negotiations

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Members of a legislative panel sought details from two of Gov. Mark Dayton’s key commissioners on the governor’s latest budget proposal, but were told instead that Dayton wants a deal on an overall budget number first.In a meeting of the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy, Minnesota Management & Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter said Dayton would not release any new details on his latest budget plan, which relies on $1.8 billion in new revenues and $1.8 billion in spending cuts. Schowalter said the governor wants agreement on a “framework” for total spending before digging into the details of specific budget areas.“The question here is all around the framework, the notion here is that it is a starting place,” Schowalter said.The meeting came as Dayton and legislative leaders continue to negotiate a deal to erase a projected $5 billion state budget deficit. Commission members expressed frustration at a perceived unwillingness for Dayton to spell out what areas of the budget he would increase and which areas he would cut. “You still haven’t showed me, where does the governor want to cut?” asked Sen. Mike Parry (R-Waseca). “Are we supposed to read the governor’s mind?”Legislators engaged the commissioners in a wide-ranging discussion on tax policy, arguing that the governor’s plan to raise income taxes on the state’s top income earners would backfire by sending wealthy residents fleeing across the borders. Continue Reading

Republican leaders make new budget offer

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In their latest meeting with Gov. Mark Dayton, Republican leaders offered to meet the governor’s spending proposals on K-12 education and public safety, but said they would not pay for the additional spending with tax increases.In a press conference following an hour-long meeting with the governor, the leaders said their “kids, cops and courts” proposal puts them equal with the governor on nearly half of the state’s budget.“This is a significant compromise from the members of our caucus and our leadership,” said House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove).The offer would increase the Republicans’ current budget targets by $80 million on education and $30 million on public safety. It would also require Dayton to accept nearly all of the proposed policy reforms in the corresponding budget bills. The leaders said they remain committed to their promise of not raising taxes, and indicated the funding increases proposed for these budget areas may require reductions elsewhere.“We’re focusing on a bill-by-bill basis,” said Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-Buffalo).Dayton did not give any indication of whether he would agree to their proposal, but said he was encouraged by the meeting.“I appreciate the offer that the leadership made,” he said.Dayton said the overall picture remains the same: Republicans must agree to meet him halfway on his proposal to raise new revenues. Otherwise, he said the net effect would be to merely shift the burden into other areas of the budget.“It’s going to be a question of whether they’re willing to reach out on the revenue side as well as the spending side,” he said.If a biennial budget is not enacted by July 1, a state government shutdown is possible. After the latest meeting, Dayton said he is “slightly more optimistic” that a shutdown can be averted.Legislative leaders are scheduled to meet again with Dayton on Wednesday, June 8. Continue Reading

Leaders, governor announce schedule for negotiations

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Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton have agreed to a tentative schedule for budget negotiations, but are no closer to an actual deal. During a breakfast meeting at the Governor’s Residence, the Republican legislators proposed a “budget negotiation schedule” to wrap up budget talks in time to prevent a government shutdown. Dayton said he agreed to the schedule, but warned that the planned meetings would be “just for show” unless Republicans agreed to raise new tax revenues. “We need to agree on a number for the final budget,” Dayton said. Under the agreed-to plan, meetings will begin Monday, June 6, and continue throughout the month. Continue Reading

Leaders react to Dayton, urge negotiations

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Republican legislative leaders urged Gov. Mark Dayton to come to the negotiating table and talk specifics on a budget deal, and criticized his decision to not let his commissioners appear before a legislative panel. At a press conference, the Republicans said they’re ready to resume work on a deal to erase a projected $5 billion budget gap and fund state government for the next two years. They expressed disappointment at Dayton’s announcement earlier today that administration officials would not appear before the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy, which is scheduled to discuss the governor’s most recent budget offer. “I think it’s time to get in the room and negotiate,” said House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove). Zellers also rebuffed Dayton’s suggestion to bring in a professional mediator to help facilitate budget talks, saying, “We were elected to lead.” At a press conference earlier in the day, Dayton said he would not talk specifics on any budget compromise until lawmakers agreed to a compromise that included new revenues. Continue Reading

Dayton calls for mediation

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Gov. Mark Dayton derided a planned legislative hearing on his latest budget offer as a “political stunt,” and said he has asked his commissioners not to attend.At a press conference, Dayton said he has asked key cabinet members not to appear before the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy. The joint legislative panel is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. today to seek details on the governor’s latest budget proposal.Dayton said his administration was not given adequate notice of the meeting, and would not participate. He said there is no point in discussing the details of a budget agreement until Republicans agree to compromise on some kind of revenue increase to help balance the budget.“We’re not at the beck and call of the Legislature. They’re not in session. They had their five months,” he said.Dayton further called for a professional mediator to be brought in to help “set the parameters” for future budget negotiations. Continue Reading

Dayton vetoes remaining budget bills, says shutdown ‘strong likelihood’

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Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the remaining nine budget bills passed by Republican lawmakers and said a government shutdown is likely unless they agree to a budget plan that includes new revenues.In a press conference, Dayton called the Republicans’ budget plan “harsh and unfair,” and said he would call legislators back for a special session after he and legislative leaders worked out a compromise to fund state government for the next two years.“I am returning this and the other budget bills to you with the hope that you will choose to work with me, to find a fair, responsible, and balanced solution,” he wrote in a statement.Legislators adjourned late last night without a deal on the budget. Last week, Dayton called for a $1.8 billion tax increase on the top 2 percent of income earners in the state, saying it represented a middle ground between the Republicans’ budget and the $3.4 billion tax increase he proposed in February.Republican leaders are touring the state to shore up support for their budget plan, which does not include any new taxes. They argue their plan supports economic growth in the state. But Dayton said their plan, which includes funding cuts for many state programs, would harm middle-class Minnesotans.The governor blamed an “extreme right-wing” faction of Republican lawmakers for undermining budget negotiations. He said Republican leaders are being held captive by a number of “intransigent” freshman lawmakers who refuse to budge on the issue of new revenues.Dayton said he would prefer to negotiate a budget agreement with legislative leaders before calling them back for a special session. Continue Reading

Legislature adjourns without budget deal

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The legislative session has ended without a budget agreement.Lawmakers and Gov. Mark Dayton will have to go into overtime to finish enacting a state budget and erase a projected $5 billion deficit. The House and Senate adjourned with no deal to fund state government for the next two years.The Republican-controlled Legislature sent a complete set of budget bills to the DFL governor, but Dayton promised to veto them without an overall budget agreement. His veto would mean lawmakers must return for a special session or face a possible government shutdown beginning July 1. He gave no indication of when a special session might be called.“While it’s disappointing, I remain resolved that we will find common ground and compromise on behalf of Minnesotans,” Dayton wrote in a statement.Republican leaders held out hope that the governor would reconsider his veto threat. They planned a statewide tour Tuesday to shore up support for their budget plan, which they say would balance the budget without new taxes and support private-sector job growth.House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) said that given the size of the problem, a special session is appropriate. Continue Reading

Workers’ compensation bill awaits governor’s action

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A speedier resolution to claims is just one of the goals of a workers’ compensation bill headed for the governor’s desk.Sponsored by Rep. Andrea Kieffer (R-Woodbury) and Sen. Ted Lillie (R-Lake Elmo), HF1362/ SF1159* would enact the recommendations of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council.The House passed it 126-4. The Senate passed it 59-0 on May 20.The council is made up of representatives of the state’s major business and labor organizations, and recommends changes to statutes governing the workers’ compensation program. The legislation they propose is usually noncontroversial. Kieffer called it a “peace-in-the-valley bill.”Among the changes proposed in the bill:clarifying who may serve as a workers’ compensation judge, and that only compensation judges may conduct workers’ compensation proceedings; establishing a new timeline for settlement and pretrial conferences; and modifying provisions related to the remodeling of a residence of a disabled employee, including a $15,000 increase on the limit to an employer’s liability.Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul) said he generally supported the provisions in the bill, but criticized the council itself as “broken” and “co-opted” by special interests. Continue Reading