Legislative Alerts

Governor Line-Item Vetoes Health and Human Services Budget Bill

Governor Tim Pawlenty signed the Health and Human Services Budget Bill late Thursday evening. He line-itemed vetoed a $381,081,000 appropriation to the General Assistance Medical Care Grants. The Governor cites the growth in health care spending as unsustainable as the reason for this large line-item veto.

The Health and Human Services bill authorized $503 million in budget cuts to current funding levels. The Governor's proposal called for even deeper cuts. With the health care making up nearly 26 percent of the state's budget, it will be a large part of the final solution in solving the state's $6.4 billion deficit. The Governors full veto message is attached.

Special Elections—Senate Districts 16 and 63

July 22, 2008. Eight term Representative Mark Olson (R—Big Lake) has filed to run for Senate District 16. Olson was voted out of the House Republican caucus after an arrest on domestic abuse charges. Former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer is the Republican endorsed in Olson’s House seat. The Senate District 16 seat opened up when Governor Pawlenty appointed State Senator Betsy Wergin to the Public utilities Commission earlier this month. The district reaches the cities of Big Lake, Elk River, Princeton, Milaca, Onamia and the southern part of Lake Mille Lacs. Olson will be challenged in a Republican primary by Jeff Holm and Alison Krueger. Two DFL Candidates, Lisa Fobbe and Mark Joseph Herzing, have also filed for the seat.

Senate District 63 was vacated by State Senator Dan Larson (DFL—Bloomington). Larson has returned to work with Lockridge Grindal Nauen’s Government Relations team. Ken Kelash has filed as the only DFL Candidate, and Craig Marston has filed as the only Republican candidate. The district reaches the Richfield, Minneapolis and Bloomington area.

Both special elections will be held to coincide with the November 4 General Election. Filings for the empty seats closed Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Governor Line-Item Vetoes Bonding Projects

April 7, 2008. Governor Pawlenty has chosen to line-item veto the $925 million bonding bill, cutting it by $208 million. $717 million in projects will stay. Today was the Governor's deadline for making a decision to veto the entire bill, or line-item veto picking projects he feels spend too much money.

Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau Rejected by Senate

February 28, 2008. After several months of threats, the Senate voted to not confirm Carol Molnau as Commissioner of MnDOT. Confirmation by the Senate requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole senate. Molnau, receiving just 22 of 66 votes in the Senate, will lose her post as Commissioner. The Senate vote today did not affect Molnau's position as Lt. Governor.

Molnau was last confirmed by the Senate in May of 2004. When Pawlenty won re-election it was necessary for Molnau to undergo another confirmation. The House of Representatives does not act on confirmations.

February Forecast Shows $1 Billion Deficit

February 28, 2008. The February forecast is predicting a $935 million deficit through mid-2009. This is a $562 million drop from November's forecast. Commissioner of Finance, Tom Hanson blamed the worsening US economy and it's impact on our state for the growing deficit.

House of Representatives Overrides Governor’s Veto

February 25, 2008. In a 91 to 41 vote, the House of Representatives voted to override Governor Pawlenty's veto of the $6.6 Billion Transportation funding package. The DFL controlled House needed just five republican votes to reach the 90 votes needed for an override. House Assistant Majority Leader, and co-author of the bill Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) stated she "didn’t think [the Legislature] could find a bill that is more balanced, and more supported than the one before us."

House republicans voting to uphold the override argued that the bill is not a real compromise. Representative Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) called the bill a "compromise among thieves," arguing that Republican members and the Governor were left out of negotiations.

Bill moves to Veto Proof Majority in the Senate

February 25, 2008. Next, the bill will move to the Senate where the DFL has a veto proof majority. The Senate is expected to take up the override within the next hour. According to the Minnesota constitution after the bill is approved by both bodies in a two-third majority, the bill becomes law and is deposited into the office of the Secretary of State.

Governor Pawlenty Vetoes $6.6 Billion Transportation Package

February 22, 2008. This morning, the Governor vetoed the transportation funding bill sent to him late last night after almost ten hours of debate on the House and Senate floor. The Governor calls the bill "a massive, overreach of tax increases."