Letter to West Central Tribune: “Time to get the House in order”

04/27/2005

I was interested to read in the April 26 West Central Tribune Speaker Steve Sviggum’s critique of the Senate budget parameters outlined for the public last week. Considering his House of Representatives has not passed its budget bills, and the Senate’s bills are still being constructed, I believe it is premature to engage in blatant partisan oratory. To the budget issue, it is important to note that if the session ended today, the Senate has passed legislation that balances the governor’s $466 million dollar deficit through budget cuts.

The governor and speaker are solely responsible for three consecutive budget deficits, and lack real fiscal leadership. The speaker conveniently fails to mention that his budget proposal is fraught with cuts to health care for working families, property tax increases, and fiscally irresponsible shifts. He proposes using unconstitutional gambling proceeds that are unreliable and provide shaky financing to fund government services.

He proposes the state borrow at all-time highs and proposes no manner to pay back the debt. Furthermore, he has put forward not one, but two budget targets. It is disingenuous to criticize others when your own budget lacks direction and clarity.

In a bipartisan manner, the Senate has set forward a clear and concise plan. We are advocating full and responsible funding of our education system at all levels - early childhood development, K-12 education and higher education. Based on input from students, teachers, parents and school leaders, we have recognized the need for investment in our students. We will responsibly pay for that investment without the use of shifts and property tax increases employed by the speaker.

Over the next few weeks, we will participate in a debate about the heart and soul of Minnesota’s future. Until then, we would encourage the speaker to get his financial house in order first before criticizing ours.

Dean Elton Johnson
State Senator, District 13
Senate Majority Leader