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| Date: | March 23, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Peter D. Winiecki | | Contact Phone: | 651-297-8077 | | Contact Email: | peter.winiecki@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATE JOBS & ECONOMIC GROWTH COMMITTEE PASSES OMNIBUS BUDGET BILL |
(St. Paul) -- Members of the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Committee passed their proposal today that meets the committee’s General Fund budget target of $103.2 million. The bill now will be heard by the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration.
The bill offers a significant reform measure by restructuring the legislative version of earmarking into competitive grants. “We are fundamentally reforming how the state spends money on job training and workforce development,” said Senator Geoff Michel (R-Edina). “Instead of old school earmarks for dozens of small programs - we are putting together a block grant to be run by DEED. Per the Legislative auditor's recommendations this will include a performance-based competitive bidding structure to get the most bang for taxpayer dollars.”
Notable provisions in this bill include restructuring the Minnesota Trade Office, which carries projected savings of approximately $3 million. The proposal also finds some agreement with Governor Dayton by accepting most of the Governor’s targeted business development, workforce and housing reductions.
“Our bill is carefully crafted to prioritize available resources on funding workforce and housing programs for the unemployed and those most vulnerable,” said Senator Michel.
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