District 39 Legislators Respond to Dayton's Budget Package

Last week at the state capitol, Governor Mark Dayton released his budget package, which includes income tax increases for top earners, as well as cuts to balance the state budget.

Those earning $500,000 or more would face a temporary rate of 13.95 percent over the next three years. A new permanent tax rate of 10.95 percent for top earners would tax single filers with incomes of $85,000 or more, married couples earning $150,000 and head of household earners with incomes of $130,000 or more.

Republicans have largely dismissed the proposal.

Sen Jim Metzen (D-District 39) has been an advocate of a complete budget package, however, he said the cuts Dayton has proposed for nursing homes are too deep, and he’s reluctant to tax families earning $150,000. “A lot of these people making $200 grand a year, they’ve been working hard their whole lives. They’re job creators,” said Metzen.

He suggested that the state consider a temporary ten percent surtax on all earners over $50,000 to spread the burden, “and then legitimately blink it off, get rid of it,” which Metzen said is a tactic that former Republican Governor Al Quie used.

Rep. Rick Hansen (D-District 39A) has also expressed concerns for cuts to nursing homes, particularly in light of the growing senior population in Dakota County. 

Hansen said that the governor’s budget has energized constituents, who are visiting, calling and emailing in greater numbers.

St. Thomas Academy students were among those that visited the capitol last week. Hansen said they had questions on a wide range of subjects, from trapping coyotes to gay marriage.

A bill authored by Hansen and Metzen in their respective legislative bodies was entered into the hopper requesting $3 million in bonding for replacement of the Highway 52 sound barriers.  

Metzen said he’s not hopeful that the bill will advance. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is responsible for prioritizing projects like these, said Metzen, and it will be difficult to impact that schedule.

Capital investment committees, which are responsible for compiling bonding bills in the legislature, have yet to meet in either the House or the Senate.

On the floor, Hansen voted against lifting a moratorium on nuclear energy facilities. He said considering nuclear energy adds cost to taxpayers, and the proposal will not create jobs because the next major plans for a new energy plant in the state is likely 10-15 years out. He did support an amendment that would prohibit used nuclear waste to be used for weapons-grade plutonium.

The bill has already been passed in the Senate with Metzen’s support, and is now in conference committee to reconcile the two bills.

Rep. Rick Hansen

New activity:

—Hansen co-signed a bill providing for optional disclosure of public appraisals by a government entity, which now awaits a hearing in the Civil Law Committee. HF601 introduced Feb. 17 by Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, (R-District 36A)

—Hansen co-signed a bill adjusting how half-day kindergarten students are counted for per-pupil funding formulas. HF488, introduced Feb. 14 by Rep. Melissa Hortman, (D-District 47B)

Existing legislation:

—A bill providing $1 million to the city of South St. Paul to replace a pumping station on the floodwall awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. This is the companion bill to SF145. HF277, introduced Jan. 31

—Hansen co-signed a bill adjusting DMV fees, which awaits a hearing in the Transportation Committee. HF347, introduced Feb. 3 by Rep. Larry Howes (R-District 4B)

— A bill providing bonding money for inflow and infiltration projects awaits a committee hearing in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF74, introduced Jan. 13
—A bill providing $25 million in bonds for conservation easements to be purchased by the Board of Water and Soil Resources, with priority given to flood prone land in southeast Minnesota awaits a hearing in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF109, introduced Jan. 18
—A bill co-sponsored by Hansen to encourage school districts to incorporate mental health education into grades 7-12 curriculum awaits a hearing in the Education Reform committee. HF37, introduced Jan. 10

Sen. Jim Metzen

New activity:

— Metzen co-signed a bill allowing retired firefighters to have special license plates, which awaits a hearing in the Transportation Committee. SF393, introduced on Feb. 21 by Sen. David Tomassoni (D-District 5)

Existing legislation:

—Metzen co-signed a bill allowing 911 fees to be collected from pre-paid wireless services, which has been referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. SF236, introduced Jan. 7 by Sen. Doug Magnus (R-District 22)

—Metzen co-signed a bill to modify inspection and planning requirements for manufactured homes, which has been referred to the jobs and Economic Growth Committee. SF225, introduced Feb. 3 by Sen. John Pederson (R-District 15)

—A bill providing bonding money for inflow and infiltration projects awaits a committee hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. This is the companion bill to HF74. SF49 introduced Jan. 18

—A bill co-sponsored by Metzen providing $1 million to the city of South St. Paul to replace a pumping station on the floodwall awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF145, introduced Jan. 27 by Sen. Katie Sieben (D-District 57)

—A bill co-sponsored by Metzen providing $2 million to the city of South St. Paul to replace a pumping station on the floodwall awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF221, introduced Jan. 27 by Sen. Katie Sieben (D-District 57)

—A bill co-sponsored by Metzen to update the effective dates of a lead poisoning prevention statute was signed into law. SF139, introduced Jan. 27 by Sen. Ted Lillie (R-District 56)