Summer Update: State Surplus, Scholarship Opportunity, DHS Audit

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your family are enjoying the summer! Even though the Legislature is adjourned, quite a bit of news is still coming out of St. Paul.

1) Follow My Blog on the Maple Grove Patch!

2) State Brings in Fifth Consecutive Surplus—Without Raising Taxes

3) National Foundation of Women Legislators Scholarship Opportunity

4) Audit Issues at Minnesota Department of Human Services

1) Follow my blog on the Maple Grove Patch!

Stay up-to-date with my news releases and press submissions by following my blog on the Maple Grove Patch! My blog can be accessed by clicking here.

2) State Brings in Fifth Consecutive Surplus—Without Raising Taxes

Earlier this month officials at Minnesota Management and Budget announced the state brought in $463 million more than estimated in the 2013 February Forecast.

This is the state’s fifth consecutive surplus since 2011, amounting to an influx of over $3 billion in greater-than-expected revenue—accomplished without raising taxes.

It remains to be seen how the new state budget signed into law this spring by Governor Dayton will affect this economic uptick. On July 1, the 2013 budget went into effect, raising taxes and fees by $2.4 billion and increasing government spending by close to 10 percent (or $3 billion).

Nonpartisan state budget analysts have reported that under the new budget Minnesotans in every income bracket will pay more in taxes—not just those of upper incomes. In fact, the lowest income earners will see a greater percentage of their income go toward the state and local tax burden than other brackets. The analysts also reported that the increased business taxes will be passed on and largely fall on the shoulders of consumers.

3) National Foundation of Women Legislators Scholarship Opportunity

I am currently accepting applications from female high school junior and seniors to serve as their sponsoring state legislator for the National Foundation of Women Legislators (NFWL) and the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) 16th Annual Bill of Rights Essay Contest.

Each year, NFWL and the NRA join forces to provide six female high school juniors or seniors an award, a $3,000 college scholarship, and an all-expense-paid trip to NFWL's Annual Conference November 20-22 at The Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC.

The application packet can be accessed here. To receive consideration for sponsorship, please submit a request to my office by Friday, August 16, 2013.

4) Audit Issues at Minnesota Department of Human Services

Earlier this month the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) received its fifth consecutive negative audit, receiving a citation for “significant, ongoing noncompliance” with federal law.

In short, DHS manages billions of taxpayer dollars each year, and handles about $1.4 billion in welfare and childcare assistance. Those who receive these government benefits are required by law to be verified for income and other eligibility requirements. But the audit confirms DHS is not making sure Minnesotans who receive these benefits are eligible, allowing fraud to go undetected and taxpayer dollars to go to waste.

For further information, you may want to watch a KSTP report about the audit or my colleagues’ call for a responsible and quick end to the waste of taxpayer dollars.

I believe we need to ensure that hard-earned taxpayer dollars are spent wisely so that we can deliver efficient and effective government services. It’s what Minnesotans expect and deserve. Expect much more discussion and reform legislation on this issue in the next legislative session.

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During the summer months, I welcome your continued comments and questions. I am still here to serve the people and priorities of Rogers, Dayton, and Maple Grove.

Have a great weekend!

Joyce

**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A