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| Date: | February 16, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Peter D. Winiecki | | Contact Phone: | 651-297-8077 | | Contact Email: | peter.winiecki@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| Letter to the Editor from Senator John Howe |
To the Editor:
A recent letter to the editor in this paper questioned the wisdom of the early action budget bill that was promptly vetoed by the Governor. Former Senator Steve Murphy said that the bill would “stab veterans in the back.” I take issue with that claim.
The bill that was passed made early and substantial progress on solving the budget deficit by simply extending the one-year budget reductions agreed to at the end of the 2010 session by then-DFL majorities. One important aspect of the bill was that it called for $100.8 million in additional state government reductions for the remainder of the current 2-year budget to recapture unspent funds and unnecessary spending.
Of that $100.8 million, the bill required the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) to work with the executive branch agencies to identify reductions. The bill’s language specifically lists a number of budget areas that the MMB commissioner MAY NOT reduce appropriations for. Among these eleven listed are: Enlistment incentives provided by the Department of Military Affairs, the State Soldier’s Assistance Program and grants to the County Veterans Service Office.
As we work to close the state budget deficit, several ideas will be proposed; some good and some not so good. None will be perfect. Senator Murphy said “the actions of this new majority are simply appalling.” I disagree.
We have to get serious about telling people the truth. Every lawmaker in St. Paul knows that budget cuts are difficult, but necessary. The early action budget bill did not include any cuts to veteran services programs as the recent letter would have you believe.
Ultimately, Gov. Dayton vetoed the bill and that is his decision. He prefers to make Minnesota the highest taxed state in the nation and have government spend nearly 23 percent more.
Minnesotans cannot afford to continue these failed policies of the past. That is the truth.
