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Capitol Report

June 2011
For the 2010-11 biennium, Minnesota spent about $30 billion from our general fund. The forecasted amount of available taxpayer revenues for the 2012-13 biennium is $34 billion, consider that the state checkbook. Using the state checkbook, the Legislature identified funding priorities like K-12 education, public safety and also introduced significant reforms to restore sensible, sustainable government in Minnesota and promote job growth. Most importantly, the FY 2012-13 budget the Legislature produced does not raise taxes on anyone during this critical time in this economic recovery. Finally, this budget contains more than $3 billion in additional spending over the previous budget, the single largest general fund budget ever in the state of Minnesota.

MINNESOTA SENATE

2011 Session Facts & Figures

Recapping the 2011 Session

Senate Republicans started the session with the goal of creating a realistic budget using available revenues and working to reform government by moving funding to areas of priority for Minnesotans. More than six weeks ago, our legislative committees passed the bills that comprised this balanced budget. We worked extra hard to provide transparency to the public and especially the Governor, including using the Senate and House website postings for bills at all stages, and welcoming input at all times.

Comparison of Budget Offers


$38 $36 $34 $32 $30
FY 2010-11 FY 2012-13
Mid-Point: $33.5B

IN GENERAL FUND SPENDING

$37B $34B
PASSED by Legislature
Gov. Daytons FY 2012-13 Budget Proposal

$30B

Our plan doesnt raise taxes, yet contains over $3 billion in additional spending over the previous budget, and is by Democrats own admission the single largest general fund budget ever, ever in the state of Minnesota.

In Billions
MNSRC Communications, 6/8/11

MAY 23
Session ends, GOP budget balanced & complete

MAY 24
Dayton vetoes entire GOP budget solution

TIMELINE OF EVENTS JUNE 3 JUNE 6


GOP delivers budget negotiation schedule to Gov. GOP offers new compromise 100% Gov. request on education, courts & public safety

Coming up JUNE 27-29 JULY 1


Tentatively scheduled special session

Gov. Dayton may shut down government to force growth in state bureaucracy and maintain the status quo.

If Gov. doesnt accept Leg. budget, he will shut down state

Our complete, balanced budget was driven by Minnesotas priorities: providing our kids the best education, promoting high quality, low cost health care, and creating a business friendly environment to grow jobs. We were able to support those priorities through a combination of strategic reforms and improved funding without increasing the tax burden on hardworking Minnesotans.

MINNESOTANS ARE OUR PRIORITIES

a Includes a 1/2 billion dollar increase to education statewide, or average of $236 per student a Increases K-12 education funding statewide by 3.2 percent while implementing reforms to drive more
K-12 EDUCATION: Putting our childrens future first.
dollars to the classroom, includes more money for both general and special education a Promotes improved student outcomes and close the achievement gap by offering new enrollment options to students in low-performing schools and replacing integration aid with literacy programs a Relieves mandates, repeals the teacher-union contract negotiating deadline, and rewards performance with an A-F school grading system and achievement-based teacher evaluation

a Includes an 8 percent increase in real spending, or $844 million than the current budget a Funds priorities and promotes sustainability by spending $570 more than last biennium while
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: Taking a 21st century approach to healthcare.

reducing projected spending increases by 15 percent a Increases funding for nursing homes plus extra funding for 69 of the lowest paid rural nursing homes, increases waivered services, and provides added flexibility for counties and providers to maximize the use of our human and financial resources a Drives reform and furthers our transformation to a patient-centered, high-quality, low-cost system

a More than $230 million in tax relief & reductions for job creators, home owners & renters a Provides targeted tax relief to families and property tax relief to property owners a Improves the business climate by phasing out the statewide business property tax and targeting tax
TAXES: Opening the state for business.
relief to help job creators grow, expand, and see Minnesota as open for business a Maintains current LGA funding levels for all but 3 cities; many cities do not receive LGA By focusing on people and priorities, instead of fixating on a number, we were able to produce a plan that is balanced, provides a 6 percent increase in funding and keeps government open and operating. Its a solution for which all Minnesotans can be proud.

More Facts & Figures


70% of Minnesotans would support spending reductions instead of shutting down state government, according to a June SurveyUSA poll. Gov. Dayton as a candidate said he wouldnt shut down state government to force a tax increase, yet he is doing exactly that.

Members of the Legislative Commission on Planning & Fiscal Policy were shown a presentation from the National Governors Association, which noted that only six governors, one being Gov. Dayton, are proposing income tax increases. Gov. Daytons net increase in income taxes would be one of the second highest in the nation. Dayton is a member of the NGA executive committee. You can find that report at: http://www.nga.org/Files/ pdf/FSS1106.PDF.

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