Metzen, Atkins Criticize Republican Budget Targets

The Republican budget targets released late last week have drawn the ire of Sen. Jim Metzen and Rep. Joe Atkins, who likened the budget proposals to "chocolate Easter bunnies with nothing inside."

The Minnesota House of Representative’s Republican majority is proposing to spend $34.26 billion from the state’s General Fund in fiscal years 2012-2013, according to a press released issued by the House's Public Information Services.

 That represents a proposed 12.2 percent cut compared to forecasted spending levels. However, it would still be a 5.5 percent increase over General Fund for the current biennium. Under the plan, the Republicans would make deep spending cuts in the areas of state government, energy and the environment and higher education. Spending for health and humans services would see a modest increase, but that total is still much lower than projected spending increases in that area.

The set of budget targets released by Senate Republicans are similar: The Senate plan proposes $34.27 billion 2012-2013 budget, with the largest cuts coming in higher education and state government. The House Republicans' target also includes a series of income tax cuts to lower and middle class Americans, while the Senate Republicans' plan includes tax cuts to businesses. The two plans were released within hours of each other last Thursday.

“We feel that these numbers are living within our means, and that we’ll be able to meet the necessary needs of the state in the numbers reflected in this target,” said House Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman Mary Liz Holberg (R-Lakeville).

But Metzen, the District 39 Democratic senator, said the cuts to higher education would result in tuition hikes for college students.

"You’re going to be fencing kids out,” Metzen said. “Only the rich families will be able to send their kids to college." Metzen also took aim at the proposed reduction in health and human services spending, saying it would result in reduced care for Minnesotans accesses those services.

 "It's like one of those chocolate Easter bunnies with nothing inside," District 39B Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL) said of the House Republicans' budget target. "It doesn't have any details inside.

In February, Gov. Mark Dayton released a $37 billion budget plan that included a $2.9 billion in new taxes to the wealthiest Minnesotans to help address a projected $5 billion state deficit. Over the next two weeks, Republicans hope to pass the pair of budget bills through House and Senate policy committees.

Sen. Jim Metzen

New Activity:

— Metzen authored a bill to appropriate $200,000 in 2012-2013 for grants develop and implement pollution prevention plans for designated lakes and rivers. SF 796, introduced on March 14.

– Metzen is listed as a co-author on a bill that would appropriate $2.47 million  in 2013 from the arts and cultural heritage fund for the Minnesota Zoological Board. SF 763, introduced March 14.

— Metzen authored a bill that would appropriate $3 million in 2012 from the clean water fund to fund grants for inflow and infiltration reduction projects in the metropolitan areas. The bill is designed to prevent degradation of groundwater. SF 797, introduced on March 14.

Existing legislation:

— A bill authored by Metzen that would modify certain compliance provisions for elevator construction codes has been referred to the Jobs and Economic Growth Committee. SF617, introduced on March 7.

— A $200,000 bonding request proposed by Metzen for the design and construction of a transit facility along the Robert Street corridor in Dakota County is still awaiting discussion by the Capital Investment Committee. SF531, introduced on Feb. 28.

— A $51.3 million bonding request co-authored by Metzen to construct a new physics and nanotechnology building at the University of Minnesota was referred to the Capital Investment Committee. SF562, introduced on March 3.

Rep. Joe Atkins

New Activity:

— Atkins authored a bill that prohibits insurance companies from restricting an insured's choice of rental vehicle company as a source of a temporary replacement vehicle, and requires insurers to inform their customers  of that right. HF 859, introduced on March 3.

— Atkins is listed as a co-author of a bill that would appropriate $3 million in 2012 from the clean water fund to fuel grants for inflow and infiltration reduction projects in the metropolitan areas. The bill is designed to prevent degradation of groundwater. HF 1127, introduced on March 14.

Existing Legislation: 

— A bill that authored by Atkins that permits wine tasting and wine sales for an annual festival to be conducted by an organization representing Minnesota's grape growers has been referred to the Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee. HF787, introduced on March 3.

— A bill Atkins co-authored that would appropriate $1.5 million to to install, renovate, or replace heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems in existing indoor ice arenas is awaiting discussion by the State Government Finance Committee. HF684, introduced on Feb. 24.

— A bill co-authored by Atkins that would increase the penalties for those convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct is still awaiting action on the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Commitee. HF 6, introduced on Jan. 10.