HOUSE MAJORITY CALLS ON GOVERNOR TO BRING NEW IDEAS FORWARD

St. Paul- Governor Mark Dayton presented his budget for 2016-17 on Tuesday including a $6.839 billion increase in all-funds spending over the current biennium and more than $903 million increase in all taxes for the biennium.

“While I am relieved to see some areas we can find common ground, like reading programs for elementary students, it was uninspiring to see Governor Dayton resort to taking more money from hardworking Minnesotans. As we move forward, we should all expect to embrace new ideas to make government better for people across our great state. So, we thank Governor Dayton for his suggestions today and we will take them into consideration as we build a budget that unites all of Minnesota,” said Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown).

Since the legislative session began on January 6th, the new House Republican Majority has begun taking committee hearings, traditionally held at the Capitol, to communities across the state.

“We understand Minnesotans from Minneapolis to Morris still face uncertainty – in their jobs, in their family budgets, and in the kids’ future. Instead of easing those worries, the budget recommendations released today by Governor Dayton increase overall state spending by $1,244 for every man, woman and child in Minnesota. Minnesota families can’t afford to pay more for Democrats’ insatiable appetite to spend more. We will continue to listen to Minnesotans and work to provide better value in government,” added Majority Leader Joyce Peppin

(R-Rogers).

On Tuesday, House Committees will begin to hold hearings with testimony from state agencies about the Governor’s budget recommendations. The Senate and House establish their budgets using information from the

February forecast, due out in late February. In accordance with Minnesota House Rules, the House Majority will announce a Budget Resolution or net limit in spending in late March. Each House Finance Committee will work within those limits to build the budget.