Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Higher education bill to go to House, Senate floors; Tax bill moves

Yesterday at the Capitol

The Senate did not take up the higher education omnibus bill on the floor yesterday, however they are expected to take it up today. The full Senate did pass the agriculture omnibus bill and the jobs and economic development omnibus bill yesterday.

After nearly 7 hours of debate, the House passed the tax bill yesterday. Some of the main provisions in the bill include a provision that would decrease lower and middle individual income tax rates from their current levels of 5.35 percent and 7.05 percent to 4.75 percent and 6.75 percent, phased in over three years. There is also a proposed phase-out of local government aid to Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth; and the bill approves the imposition of a local sales and use tax by several cities and towns.

The House is expected to take up the higher education omnibus bill today as well.

Capitol watchers are wondering how this session will end given the philosophical differences between Gov. Dayton and the Legislature on how to resolve the $5 billion deficit. Dayton yesterday sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, R-Buffalo and House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, that lays out a framework for the budget negotiations based on mutual discussions. Dayton wrote, "I will not agree to any bills containing revenue increases, reductions, or expenditures, until after the Legislature has established and decided upon one complete, comprehensive and balanced budget for the 2012-2013 biennium, either through the passage of all relevant conference reports or some other definitive mechanism. I will not favorably consider a single budget bill without knowing its relationship to a complete and balanced budget solution." Dayton also wrote that he invites lawmakers to initiate a process by removing all extraneous policy items from the spending and tax bills. He referenced Gov. Pawlenty being opposed to the practice of including policy in finance bills and said he agrees with that position.

Today at the Capitol


Today is the DFL primary election in Senate District 66 between Rep. John Lesch and former Rep. Mary Jo McGuire. The special election is necessary to replace former Rep. Ellen Anderson who left to head up the Public Utilities Commission.

10:00 AM
Senate in Session

10:00 AM
House Republicans will hold a media availability on Education and Higher Education with Reps. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, and Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls in preparation for the floor debate.

10:30 AM
House in Session
HF 1010: Environment
HF 934: Education
HF 1101: Higher Education Bill

15 minutes after session
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda:
S.F. 1030-Olson, G.: Omnibus early childhood through grade 12 education policy provisions modifications and appropriations.

5:00 PM or call of the chair
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg
Agenda:
HF440 Judiciary Omnibus Bill
HF853 Public Safety Omnibus Bill

Looking Ahead

Wednesday, March 30


10:00 AM
Senate in Session

10:30 AM
House in Session

12:00 PM (or call of the chair)
House Taxes
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Greg Davids
Agenda: HF1049 (Gunther) Omnibus jobs and economic development bill.

Thursday, March 31

12:00 PM
House in Session

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