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| SENATE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY ADJOURNS 2011 LEGISLATIVE SESSION Legislature passes a balanced budget compromise on time, with no tax increases | ||||||||||||
(St. Paul) -- The Minnesota Senate adjourned the 2011 legislative session Monday evening with all nine FY2012-13 budget bills on Governor Dayton’s desk awaiting his signature. Having compromised on greater spending targets as a result of the February economic forecast, Senate Republicans were able to reconcile the state budget deficit with available revenues, without raising taxes.
“We came here in January, determined to balance the state’s budget deficit by living within our means and without raising taxes,” said Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-Buffalo). “We came here to put a stop to the out-of-control government spending that is crippling our economy.”
Fiscal Year spending for 2010-11 was approximately $32.2 billion. For Fiscal Year 2012-13, Governor Dayton called for a budget of $35.8 billion. The Republican-controlled legislature maintained that they had already compromised on an amended spending limit of $34 billion which, though less than Gov. Dayton’s recommendations, still amounts to the largest General Fund budget in Minnesota State history.
“We are disappointed that Gov. Dayton is going to force the legislature into overtime for more spending and more taxes,” said Deputy Majority Leader Geoff Michel (R-Edina). “The budget bills on Gov. Dayton’s desk put the brakes on automatic increases in spending and send a positive message to businesses, investors and job creators that state government will not tax you into another state.”
It remains unclear as to whether or not Gov. Dayton will sign any of the Republican budget bills. If not, a Special Session will be called to continue work on the budget deficit.
“Gov. Dayton’s insistence on higher taxes and excessive government spending is not the remedy for job growth and economic recovery,” said Sen. Koch. “Rather, it is a prescription for further economic decline.”
Republican leaders from the Minnesota House and Senate will participate in a statewide fly-around on Tuesday to promote their work product.
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