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| Date: | July 21, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATORS LILLIE, GAZELKA & DALEY ANNOUNCE LEGISLATION TO KEEP GOVERNMENT OPEN & OPERATING IN EVENT OF BUDGET IMPASSE |
St. Paul- In an effort to prevent future government shutdowns like that of 2011, Senator Ted Lillie (R-Lake Elmo), Senator Paul Gazelka (R-Brainerd) and Senator Ted Daley (R-Eagan) announced legislation Thursday that would keep government open and operating in the event of a budget impasse. If agreement isn’t reached by July 1 of an odd-numbered year, their bill would extend existing appropriations provided for the previous fiscal years until resolved. Similar legislation was introduced by former State Senator, now Lieutenant Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon in 2006.
“After weeks of the longest government shutdown in recent U.S. history, Minnesota is finally back open today. While I am thrilled that Minnesotans are back to work and services are restored, I also think we need to take responsible measures to ensure that this does not happen again. The cost to the tax payers and to businesses is too high. Our bill would make sure that Minnesotans aren’t held hostage in the event that agreement isn’t reached by July 1,” said Senator Lillie.
“I agree that we need to take measures to prevent future government shutdowns. That’s why we are proposing legislation that would continue appropriations at the spending level from the previous biennium should the Legislature and the Governor find themselves at an impasse. This will keep Minnesotans employed and critical services will continue to be delivered,” added Senator Gazelka.
“This government shutdown was completely unnecessary and was devastating to Minnesota. 22,000 workers were laid off, parks closed, domestic abuse shelters closed, road construction projects halted and businesses seeking license renewal were turned away. We’re proposing legislation that would keep Minnesota open and operating while lawmakers work to resolve the budget,” concluded Senator Daley.
Senator Lillie, Senator Gazelka and Senator Daley intend on introducing a bill early on during the 2012 legislative session.
