State Deficit Forecast Shrinks by $1.2 Billion

Editor’s Note: Capitol Review is a weekly look at what your state legislators are doing at the Minnesota Capitol—how they’re voting, the bills they’re writing and the issues they’re getting behind. Come back to Minnetonka Patch every Monday for a new Capitol Review.

Minnetonka’s State lawmakers: Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-District 43), Sen. David Hann (R-District 42), Sen. Gen Olson (R-District 33), Rep. John Benson (DFL-District 43B), Rep. Connie Doepke (R-District 33B), and Rep. Kirk Stensrud (R-District 42A).

Sen. Gen Olson (R-District 33)

• On Feb. 24, introduced (as a co-author) SF 451, a bill modifying the career and technical levy to include ccareer and technical education credits.
• On Feb. 24, introduced (as a co-author) SF 339, a bill expanding the time period in which an offender is considered to be in a position of authority over a victim for purposes of the criminal sexual conduct law.
• On Feb. 10, moved that SF 40 be “laid on the table” indefinitely. The bill proposes modifying certain teacher licensure provisions, establishing an alternative teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license and requiring board of teaching interim reports. Fellow State Senator Terri Bonoff (DFL-District 43) who also represents the Minnetonka area, co-authored the legislation. 

 Sen. David W. Hann (R-District 42)

• On Feb. 24, introduced (as a co-author) SF 433, a bill ending Minnesota’s participation in the No Child Left Behind Act.
• On Feb. 22, Minnesota’s early expansion of Medicaid under the new federal health care law—health care law which Hann has called unconstitutional. He said the repeal would only add to the state’s looming $6.2 billion budget shortfall. 
• Later today, will introduce (as a co-author), SF 491, a bill removing expiration date on swimming pond exemption.
• Later today, will introduce (as a co-author), SF 498, a bill requiring families to have parenting plans. Minnetonka Patch is seeking more information from the Senator about this legislation. 

Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-District 43)

• In reaction to the new budget forecast: “I think it’s very exciting but we need to be cautious in our interpretation,” Bonoff said pointing to the fact that much of the billion dollars savings is coming from changes to federal tax laws. “But it’s still significant and it allows us to have an easier time in terms of having a balanced approach to solving our budget.” 
•  On Feb. 24, introduced (as a co-author) SF 434, a bill establishing the Minnesota pay for performance pilot program.
• Later today, will introduce (as a co-author) SF 489, a bill requiring the Department of Education to hire a consultant to work with districts to share services-- creating a competition among school districts and incentives for districts to share services.
• Later today, will introduce (as a co-author) SF 490, a bill consolidating state agency information technology systems and services by transferring duties to the Office of Enterprise Technology.
• Later today, will introduce (as a co-author) SF 494, a
• On Feb. 24, the Minnesota Senate passed SF 42, a bill which would speed up Minnesota's environmental permit and review process by allowing companies to write their own environmental impact statements. The bill passed 49-16. Sen. Bonoff voted in favor of the bill.
• To read Sen. Bonoff’s latest Capitol Update, click here.
• Last week, Sen. Bonoff said she plans to introduce a bonding proposal for .

On Feb. 24 the Minnesota House voted 124-4 to ban synthetic marijuana. In fact, the bill that was passed (HF 57) would make it a gross misdemeanor to sell synthetic marijuana and a misdemeanor to possess the substance. Reps. Stensrud, Benson and Doepke, all voted in favor of the legislation.

Rep. Kirk Stensrud (R-District 42A)

• In reaction to the new budget forecast: "We still have a $5 billion hole to fix...There's something seriously wrong when our government can't make ends meet with 9 percent more revenue and asks taxpayers to kick in 29 percent more."
• On Feb. 21, introduced (as a co-author) HF 673, a bill requiring public value impact statements for certain legislation.
• On Feb. 24, introduced (as a co-author) HF 703, a bill allowing the holder of certain brewer's license to operate an on-sale facility.
• Sponsoring HF 4, “The 15-by-15 Initiative.” This bill reduces the size and cost of the state workforce 15 percent by the year 2015. According to Stensrud, “The key in this bill is it makes major reforms in retirement options to give employees more incentives while also saving money for taxpayers. The early retirement program restructures government for the long-term to be more sustainable and affordable for taxpayers.”

Rep. John Benson (DFL-District 43B)

• On Feb. 21, introduced (as a co-author) HF 641, a bill requiring teacher and school administrator cultural competency training required for those seeking to renew their professional license.
• In reaction to the new budget forecast, Rep. Benson said, "I am pleased to see the reduction in our projected budget deficit, brought on by a still slowly recovering economy. The projected deficit however, is still $5 billion and leaves us with some very difficult choices in balancing our budget. Governor Dayton wisely revised his budget, removing painful cuts to nursing homes, MinnesotaCare, mass transit and eliminating the 3 percent surcharge on incomes over $500,000."

Rep. Connie Doepke (R-District 33B)

• Voted in favor of banning synthetic marijuana.