Finance Bills Roll Out, District 39 Legislators Consider Cuts, Racino Revenue

Last week, committees at the Capitol focused on compiling spending proposals into the larger finance bills being debated this week on the House and Senate floor.

Rep. Rick Hansen (D-District 39A) sits on the House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee where the omnibus spending bill includes deep cuts to state water quality programs and the Pollution Control Agency.

Hansen sits on the Capital Investment Committee that reviews bonding proposals, which are funded through borrowing at the state level. Funding appropriations for a portion of the Central Corridor light rail development, metro parks and the Rock Island Swing Bridge were initially targeted for cancellation last week in committee, before being restored. Other projects were not as lucky.

“The way that it was written you’d have to stop work immediately and the state would probably be responsible for those contracts,” said Hansen of the Central Corridor funding cancellation. “It’s a good example of the role of the minority asking questions.”

The fate of a bonding proposal is still in limbo.

Over in the Senate, District 39 Sen. Jim Metzen (D-District 39) cast his support behind a Republican-backed bill to allow video slot machines at two horse tracks in Minnesota—Canterbury Park in Shakopee and Running Aces Harness Park in Columbus. If passed, the measure could generate $250 million to $500 million annually, Metzen said, some of which would be funneled back into state funds.

Proposed by District 29 Sen. David Senjem (R) and introduced on March 25, the bill creates an account called the "Minnesota Future Fund" and dictates that a portion of the money generated by slot machines at the horse tracks be deposited in the fund.

Under the bill's provisions, that money would be earmarked for job creation and retention programs, assisting new technology businesses and partnership grants for organizations promoting economic development in the state, among other purposes.

Metzen says his support of racino proposals in the state dates back 20 years, when he introduced a bill that would allow gambling on riverboats scattered across the state. Although several racino measures introduced since then have failed, Metzen is optimistic that Senjem's bill will succeed—in part due to the dire straits of the state's finances.

“We’re in big trouble, we’re $5 billion short, and we have to look for revenue,” Metzen said.

Sen. Jim Metzen

New activity

— Jobs and economic development appropriations. SF899 awaits a hearing in the Jobs and Economic Growth Committee. introduced March 16

Existing bills authored by Sen. Jim Metzen

—Inflow and infiltration reduction program metropolitan area grants appropriation. SF797 awaits a hearing in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. introduced March 14

—Water quality enhancement citizen participation in the Star Lakes pilot program appropriation. SF796 awaits a hearing in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. introduced March 14 

—Small business investment tax credit provisions modifications. SF790 awaits a hearing in the Jobs and Economic Growth Committee. introduced March 14

—A bill for elevator code changes compliance timeline modification awaits a hearing in the Jobs and Economic Growth Committee. SF617 introduced March 4

—A bill for probate and appointment proceedings time period modification awaits a hearing in the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. SF587 introduced March 4

—A bill for trunk highway #55 and county state-aid highway #63 (Argenta Trail) interchange construction environmental impact statement and scoping bond issue and appropriation awaits a hearing in the Transportation Committee. SF484 introduced Feb. 28

—A resolution urging support for the Republic of China as a part of the global community awaits a hearing in the State Government and Innovation Committee. SF483 introduced Feb. 28  

—A bill for an act relating to capital investment; appropriating money for the Darvan Acres Nature Center; authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds. SF482 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill relating to natural resources; appropriating money from the Outdoor Natural Heritage Fund for Darvan Acres Nature Center awaits a hearing in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. SF481 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill relating to capital improvements; appropriating $250,000 in bond proceeds for a transit facility on the Robert Street Corridor awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF531 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill relating to energy; regulating projects funded by renewable development
account awaits a hearing in the Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee. SF495 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill providing Trunk highway #52 noise barrier replacement bond issue and appropriation of $3 million awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF391 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill providing bonding money for inflow and infiltration projects awaits a committee hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. This is the companion bill to HF74. SF49 introduced Jan. 18

— A bill providing $240,000 for Inver Grove Heights historical buildings rehabilitation and capital improvements grant bond issue and appropriation of $240,000 awaits a committee hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF297 introduced Feb. 10

Rep. Rick Hansen

New activity

— Phase 1 Capitol security and access improvements money appropriated. HF1287 awaits a hearing in the State Government Finance  Committee. introduced March 23

Existing bills authored by Rep. Rick Hansen

—Water supply and groundwater degradation prevention provided, and money appropriated from the clean water fund. HF1127 Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. introduced March 14

— Legislative Environment Commission established; Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Clean Water Council, and Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources eliminated; water system improvement loan program eliminated; appropriations from outdoor heritage fund modified; and appointments provided. HF1073 awaits a hearing in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. introduced March 14

—A bill to provide funds for the state Capitol building was reviewed and laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus appropriations bill in the Legacy Funding Division. HF777 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill to provide competitive grant money for arts education to k-12 students awaits a hearing in the Legacy Funding Division. HF778 introduced Feb. 28

—A bill to allow Mighty Duck grants to be used for new or renovated air handling systems of indoor ice facilities awaits a hearing in the State Government and Finance Committee. HF684 introduced Feb. 24

— A bill providing bonding money for Highway 52 barrier replacement awaits a hearing in the Transportation Policy and Finance Committee. HF477 introduced Feb. 14

—A bill providing $1 million to the city of South St. Paul to replace a pumping station on the floodwall awaits a hearing in the Jobs and Economic Development Committee. This is the companion bill to SF145. HF277 introduced Jan. 31

— A bill providing bonding money for inflow and infiltration projects awaits a committee hearing in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF74 introduced Jan. 13

—A bill providing $25 million in bonds for conservation easements to be purchased by the Board of Water and Soil Resources, with priority given to flood prone land in southeast Minnesota awaits a hearing in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF109 introduced Jan. 18