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Representative David Bly’s Response to the February (Budget) Forecast

Feb 28, 2007 News

REP. DAVID BLY SAYS FEBRUARY FORECAST SETS DIRECTION

The February budget forecast was released today and Rep. David Bly (DFL-Northfield) said that although the outlook has not changed much since November, the new forecast provides clarity and direction for the months ahead.

"State revenues took a slight dip, but not enough to change the lay of the land," Bly said.  "Now that we know what resources we have to work with, we can focus on providing a quality education to every child, expanding access to affordable health care and delivering permanent property tax relief."

Bly also noted that the budget surplus is not as robust as sometimes reported, due to inflation and the inclusion of one time money.

"There has been a lot of talk about a two billion dollar surplus," he said.  "But that’s a little misleading.  One billion of that surplus is one-time money, which means we can't use it to make long term changes to state programs.  The rest of the surplus is practically eaten up by inflation."

Bly said that the small surplus left over after accounting for inflation and taking out one-time money isn't enough to make significant changes to state programs.

Basically, the good news is that we aren't going to have to make any cuts, but we don't have enough money to do everything we want either.  We are going to have to have a serious conversation about priorities."

The budget forecast also showed a weakening in the economic conditions in the state, and Rep. Bly expressed concern about the employment statistics.  New revisions included in the forecast show that job growth was flat in the month of January.

"The new economic numbers are troubling," he said.  "They bring attention to the need to reinvest in the things that make Minnesota an attractive business location: quality schools and adequate transportation."

Budget Forecast– Update from Speaker Kelliher and Majority Leader Sertich

Feb 28, 2007 News

Here is a press release from Speaker Kelliher and Majority Leader Sertich on the February forecast.

February 28, 2007

House Leadership Responds to Budget Forecast

Education, Health Care and Property Tax Reductions Remain Strategic Focus

Saint Paul- Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Minneapolis) and Majority Leader Tony Sertich (DFL-Chisholm) announced a strategic course of action for the remainder of the 2007 legislative session following the release of the state's February budget forecast.

"After two months of work, we have a genuine understanding of the unmet needs in the state. Our goal is to strategically invest in our education system, strive to make health care more affordable for our families, and lower the property tax commitments required on homeowners," Speaker Kelliher said.

The budget forecast for 2006-2007 showed a minimal decrease in state revenues of $25 million compared to the forecast from November. The legislature will base budget recommendations on these projections. Concerns remain regarding recent employment statistics.

"We campaigned and were elected because we clearly communicated our desire to fulfill the most basic mission of government.  We pledge forward-thinking yet fiscally responsible proposals.  We remain committed to achievable and measurable results that will better our state and the lives of our children, families, and elderly," Rep. Sertich said.

"The House has set an aggressive agenda and a workable time-line for the remainder of the session.  We will now focus on a more progressive tax system that invests critical resources in key areas.  Middle class citizens are paying more than their fair share and they know they aren't getting the return they deserve in our schools, access to health care, and transportation options," Speaker Kelliher said.

Minnesota ranks fourth worst in the nation in regards to the achievement gap between racially differing students.  As of today, 68,000 children lack health insurance in this state including 11,000 under the age of five.  Minnesota college tuition in Minnesota has increased 110% in the last ten years.

"We are not convinced the Governor's budget proposal does enough to advance early learning opportunities, make health care more affordable, and improve our transportation infrastructure.  People are exhausted by empty rhetoric and the politics of distraction.  People want a fiscal plan that is honest and straightforward," Rep. Sertich said.

The House of Representatives has already taken bipartisan action on tax credits for teachers and combat veterans and a nation-leading renewable energy standard.

Follow these links for more information:

Podcast: KYMN Interviews David Bly, February 26, 2007

Feb 26, 2007 Podcasts

While the Minnesota House of Representatives is in session, David Bly will appear on KYMN every Monday at 7:30 a.m.  To hear the broadcast live, listen to 1080 on your AM radio dial.  KYMN features news, talk and easy listening music plus important communications pertinent to surrounding communities.

Here is a podcast of the February 26th, 2007, KYMN Radio interview.

HEAR: KYMN Radio Station Interview, February 26th, 2007

GET NOTIFIED (you need a reader): Get the feed.

LISTEN ON ITUNES: Or, go to iTunes and subscribe to the podcast. You might first need to download the iTunes software if you are not already using an iPod or visiting the iTunes store.

Session Weekly, February 23, 2007

Feb 23, 2007 News

This week's Session Weekly is now available online at
 http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/swmain.asp.
 

Among this week's stories: why local governments are asking, "Where's my LGA;" and a bill that would allow hunters to use radio-controlled noise callers to hunt certain animals.

Podcast: KYMN Interviews Rep. David Bly, February 19, 2007

Feb 23, 2007 Podcasts

Here is a podcast of the February 19th, 2007, KYMN Radio interview. 

HEAR: KYMN Radio Station Interview, February 19th, 2007

GET NOTIFIED (you need a reader): Get the feed.

LISTEN ON ITUNES: Or, go to iTunes and subscribe to the podcast. You might first need to download the iTunes software if you are not already using an iPod or visiting the iTunes store.

Town Hall Meetings Hosted by Representative Bly and Senator Neuville

Feb 20, 2007 News

Representative Bly and Senator Tom Neuville will soon host three town hall meetings. 

Belle Plaine Town Hall– Saturday, February 24, 2007, 8:00 a.m to 9:15 a.m. LOCATION:  Belle Plaine Library

Lonsdale Town Hall– Saturday, February 24, 2007, 10:00 a.m to 11:15 a.m. LOCATION:  Lonsdale City Hall

Northfield Town Hall– Wednesday, March 14, 2007, 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. LOCATION: Northfield Public Library

Here's the town hall informational poster (adapted from original form, and in Adobe .pdf). 

Poster also available in Word.

Minnesota Could Have the Strongest Renewable Energy Standard– House Energy Committee Update

Feb 19, 2007 News

The week before last the House Energy Committee continued to hear testimony on Rep. Aaron Peterson's Renewable Energy Standard (HF 4), and will consider amendments and the bill on Monday. 

The House bill accelerates the transition to renewable energy from the current voluntary goal of 10 percent of retail sales by 2015 to mandatory standards, according to the following schedule:  11 percent in 2013, 15 percent in 2015, and 25 percent in 2020.

The committee considered the Renewable Energy Standard (RES) that the Senate passed last week (SF 4) and passed it out of committee. The Senate bill is similar to the House version (HF4), and was developed as a consensus bill by a number of stakeholders. 

With passage of this bill in its present form, Minnesota will have the strongest Renewable Energy Standard in the United States. The Renewable Energy Standard bill, SF 4, will be debated on the House Floor Monday evening.

This bill creates a mandatory Renewable Energy Standard (RES).  Xcel Energy, which generates approximately half of the electricity used in Minnesota, will be required to generate at least 30 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020; 25 percent of the renewable source must be wind. 

The rest of Minnesota's utilities will be required to generate at least 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

Higher Education Committee Update– College Tuition, Mayo Clinic, and GI Education

Feb 19, 2007 News

Higher Ed. committee presentations began with President Bruiniks from the University of Minnesota and Chancellor McCormick on behalf of MnSCU of their 2007 budget requests. 

The Governor has recommended less than the amount requested by both systems.  Under the Governor's budget, the University is saying they cannot limit a potential tuition increase to 4.5% as they planned under their budget proposal. 

MnSCU, however, does plan to limit their increase to 4% even if it means program cuts in the system. This week the committee heard the office of Higher Education present the Governor's recommendations for financial assistance for students. 

The committee also heard from the Mayo Clinic about its request for $2.5 million for the Mayo Medical School and the Mayo Family Residency program.

The committee heard two versions of the Minnesota GI Education bill.  The Governor is proposing in HF 162 (Haws) a $30 million program to help veterans attend higher education and is using caps-in-aid to veterans to keep the assistance within his budget parameters. This bill is meant to "fill in" after other state and federal aid programs are used.  

The Attorney General also has a GI Education proposal, HF 533 (Lieder), which was amended in the Senate this week, and does not cap aid.   Both were passed to Veterans Finance. 

Preservation of Native American Languages– Minnesota Heritage Committee Update

Feb 19, 2007 News

This week the Minnesota Heritage Committee will hear my bill on the preservation of Native American Languages.  You may have read about it in the Northfield News.