Week of May 14 – 20th
Insistence on Policy in Budget Threatens a Shutdown
Governor Dayton vetoed five budget bills this past week, again due to issues of policy being included in them. Later in the week, he offered new budgets targets to GOP leaders that were halfway between their original starting points. Then, late Friday, GOP leaders announced that they too would agree to halfway point budget targets, which I am thankful to hear.
However, I am incredibly disheartened by the fact that that they also announced a refusal to remove policy from their budget bills. With the legislative session nearing its end, the time has come to find what we agree on and get those things done. If one party does not like a policy provision, we should come back next year and find a compromise. The hour is getting late, and this last minute deal-making is how unintended consequences find their way into state law.
Below are the five bills that Governor Dayton vetoed, along with the Governor’s letter explaining why he vetoed them:
- Transportation budget, Chapter 62, SF1060: CLICK HERE
- Judiciary and public safety budget, Chapter 63, SF803: CLICK HERE
- Jobs and employment budget, Chapter 64, SF1937: CLICK HERE
- Higher education budget, Chapter 65, SF2214: CLICK HERE .
- Tax bill, Chapter 66, SF2255: CLICK HERE .
Still, I am confident after this coming weekend of compromises and negotiations,we can reach a final budget.
Second Town Hall in the Books
Last Saturday, I held a town hall at Eden Prairie High School. It was awesome to see so many people there. Exactly 48, to be precise.
A quick recap of what we discussed: We talked about funding for Southwest Light Rail, our regressive tax code, alternatives to prison, and the privatization of prisons. Gun safety, environmentalism, legalizing marijuana, affordable health care, and the legacy amendment were all brought up as well.
“Taking policy out of the budget,” which is mentioned in another section in this newsletert, was probably the most salient issue of the day. Even if we disagree on one or many of these issues, it was great to find common ground on what we agree upon.
I had a blast doing this and finding out what issues are most important to you.There will be another town hall coming up this summer,so stay tuned for more information.
Concerts Abound
There are lots of concerts at both Eden Prairie High School and Minnetonka High School this upcoming week to celebrate a successful school year of making beautiful music.
For Eden Prairie:
EPHS Spring Orchestra Concert
Monday, May 22nd at 7:00 pm
Performing Arts Center at EPHS, 17164-17198 Valley View Rd
EPHS Spring Choral Concert
Tuesday, May 23rd at 7:00 pm
Wooddale Church, 6630 Shady Oak Rd
For Minnetonka:
Minnetonka High School Choir Concert
Monday, May 22nd at 7:00 pm
Tuesday, May 23rd at 7:00 pm
Auditorium at MHS, 18301 West Highway 7