Simon, Latz Criticize Republican Budget Targets

Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-District 44A), who represents St. Louis Park, had a very simple reaction to budget targets released by House Republican leadership on Thursday.

“I’m disappointed,” Simon said, “but not surprised.”

As expected, Republicans offered a plan that would attempt to balance the state’s projected $5 billion deficit through a series of spending cuts, rather than any tax increases.  Among the planned cuts are $1.6 billion to health and human services, $850 million in tax aids and credits, and $400 million to higher education.

Overall, the Republican proposal calls for roughly $34 billion in spending over the next two-year biennium. Gov. Mark Dayton has called for roughly $37 billion.

Simon said his disappointment largely comes because the plan doesn’t offer what he calls a “balanced” approach, combining both spending cuts and tax increases. Republican leaders, however, have lauded the absence of tax increases from their proposal.

With the budget targets out, House Republicans now have two weeks to get specific budget bills passed through various finance committees and to the floor for a vote. The Senate is going through a similar process.

Simon said his role in all of this would likely entail upholding any gubernatorial vetoes.

“(I have to) apply pressure that leads to a balanced solution,” he said.

Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44), of St. Louis Park, wasn’t any happier with cuts proposed in the Senate. While the plan there is slightly different then in the House, the overall approach is the same — a roughly $34 billion dollar budget over the next two years, with a number of proposed cuts to address the deficit.

Like other lawmakers, Latz is still awaiting the details because the budget plan lays out spending targets for committees, not line-by-line appropriations for individual programs. But he expects education to be hit hard, particularly by the proposed $200 million-a-year cut to higher education. Latz also noted a 3 percent cut for the judiciary and public safety.

 The timeline is another recurring theme in this year’s budget battle. The Republican proposal comes with just 15 days left for committees to pass budget plans. That’s not a big deal for committees that deal with just a handful of appropriations. But Latz predicted that the deadline will strain committees, such as Health and Human Services, that have to look at many budget items.

“It’s going to make it a challenge,” he said.

Here’s what happened this past week with other bills authored or co-authored by your legislators:

 Sen. Ron Latz:

• Introduced a bill to prohibit car dealers from selling service contracts from unregistered providers. SF0738 was introduced March 10 and referred to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.
• Introduced a bill allowing juveniles certified as adults to be held in secure juvenile facilities until the end court proceedings. SF0728 was introduced March 10 and referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
• Introduced a bill related to assisted reproduction. SF027 was introduced March 10 and referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

Rep. Steve Simon:

• Introduced a bill that would create a Building Code Administrators and Inspections Board, made up of nine members appointed by the governor. The board would have the power to adopt rules that regulate the licensure and certification of building officials, building inspectors and construction code inspectors. HF0943 was introduced March 7 and referred to the Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee.

Rep. Ryan Winkler

• Introduced a bill that would appropriate $2.5 million in funding to the Perpich Center for the Arts over the next two years. HF0897 was introduced March 7 and referred to the Legacy Funding Division.