Polinaut: June 17, 2009 Archive

The Daily Digest: 6-17-09

Posted at 6:37 AM on June 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

Local governments and health and human services programs take the brunt of the cuts in Gov. Pawlenty's unallotment plan. MPR, AP, the Pi Press, MinnPost, Fox9, the Star Tribune and Forum Communications have stories.

The plan draws concerns from lawmakers and special interest groups.

Here's a list of the proposed unallotments.

Here's how it will impact you.

Several cities, like Winona, will face shortfalls because of the cuts. Winona is now facing a $1.1 million budget gap.

Health care is facing significant cuts.

The political tax refund has also been scrapped.

The smaller cuts are still a concern for educators. MPR and the Star Tribune have a look.

The head of the Taxpayers League of Minnesota praises Pawlenty.

Lawmakers hold a hearing on Thursday to discuss the impact of the cuts.

Can a small community college survive in a tough economy?

WCCO says Gov. Pawlenty is not raising taxes but Minnesotans are still paying more.

Nonprofits feel the pain of the recession.

The 3M-contamination case heads to a Washington County jury.

D.C.

President Obama will detail his plans for financial reform today.

He will also raise $3 million for Democrats.

Obama will also give same sex partners federal benefits.

A White House report warns of climate change effects.

Farm belt lawmakers, like DFL Rep. Collin Peterson, continue to challenge the climate change bill.

The U.S. House approves a war-funding bill.

DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar introduces a food safety bill.

Officials with VA Hospitals were on Capitol Hill Tuesday to answer for mistakes that left thousands of veterans at risk for HIV and hepatitis. DFL Rep. Tim Walz is mentioned.

GOP Rep. John Kline is seen as the leader to get the top Republican spot on the House Education and Labor Committee.

House Democrats craft a six-year, $450 billion transportation bill with still no consensus on how to fund it. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

2010

GOP state Rep. Marty Seifert filed the official paperwork to run for governor.

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Unallotment: Day two

Posted at 8:29 AM on June 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck (1 Comments)

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller and officials respresenting the state's hospital system will be on MPR's Midmorning at 9 AM. Yours truly will also be on the show for a bit but don't let that stop you from listening.

MPR's Midday will also feature several DFL lawmakers and MMB Commissioner Tom Hanson at 11 AM.

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Kline wins top GOP post on House Education and Labor Committee

Posted at 12:57 PM on June 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)

GOP Rep. John Kline won the top post on the House Education and Labor Committee. Here's the release from his office:

John Kline Named Ranking Republican on 50-Member Education & Labor Committee

Minnesota Congressman Ready to Take the Lead

WASHINGTON - Minnesota Congressman John Kline was chosen today by the House Republican Steering Committee to serve as the ranking Republican on the 50-member Education and Labor Committee.

"I am humbled and honored to be chosen by my peers to take on the challenges of this position in these trying times," said Congressman Kline, in his fourth term in Congress. "I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner with Chairman Miller to be an advocate for education and advancing priorities for workers and their employers. Serious battles lie ahead for the Education and Labor Committee. I have earned the trust of my colleagues and stakeholders in the education and labor communities, and I am ready to take the lead."

As the ranking Republican on the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee, Congressman Kline brings to the table an in-depth knowledge of the issues that matter most. From Head Start to retirement security, he has demonstrated the ability to advance the positions that benefit Americans - from cradle to grave. He has been a driving force behind coalition efforts to take on critical issues including preserving workers' right to a secret ballot election, and is leading the fight to ensure the federal government keeps its promise to fully fund the federal share of special education.

Congressman Kline replaces Buck McKeon, who last week was named the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. "It has been an honor to serve under the two distinguished chairmen during my tenure on the Education and Labor Committee," Congressman Kline said. "I will continue in the proud tradition of John Boehner and Buck McKeon, ensuring open lines of communication between Congress and the American worker and the businesses that employ them - and uniting stakeholders behind shared policy goals."

Congressman Kline's efforts have been rewarded with such recognitions as "Legislator of the Year" honors from the Associated Builder and Contractors, the "Star of Education" award from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the "Spirit of Enterprise" award from the U.S Chamber of Commerce, and being named the "Small Business Champion" by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council.

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Pawlenty to speak to GOPAC in Chicago

Posted at 1:19 PM on June 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)

Gov. Pawlenty is scheduled to speak to a group that trains GOP candidates for state and local office in August. The group, known as GOPAC, is hosting a state and local summit in Chicago. Pawlenty will speak about health care. Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels are also scheduled to speak.

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DFL wants answers!

Posted at 1:42 PM on June 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and DFL Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller sent a letter to the governor today that requests answers to several questions. They are sending the letter today so MMB Commissioner Tom Hanson has time to gather the information.

Here are the questions (I'll link to the letter when they send me the pdf):

1) How will your proposal affect public and private sector jobs?

2) How many state and local employee layoffs will occur due to your proposal?

3) How many teachers will be laid off in both the K-12 and university systems?

4) How many private sector jobs within the health care industry will be terminated?

5) What impact will your proposal have on local property taxpayers at both the city and county levels?

6) Will you unallotments jeopardize any federal funds, and if so, how much loss in funds are we to expect?

7) With your use of unallotment, you have no legal authority to repay the schools without legislative action. Under what statutory authority would the final payment in FY12 school appropriation be made?

8) What impact will the K-12 cuts have on school district financing and districts currently in or near statutory operating debt?

9) Governor Pawlenty's E-12 budget bill (S.F. 836 Article 1, Section 11) recommended changes to statute 123B.75 subd. 5 to enact a property tax recognition shift. There is no authority to recognize E-12 levies early without this change. As a result, it is our understanding the Commisioner of Education does not have the authority to require school districts to recognize a portion of their levy revenues. This will leave your unallotments $600M short or require legislative action in order to make these cuts. How do you propose to make up the difference?

10) Unallotment is a one time solution. Give this fact, what is the projected shortfall for FY12-13? How are you planning to address it? Since your staff has met with various stakeholders and discussed possible unallotments, we trust you have this information already compiled and should be able to outline the impacts for legislators and the public.

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Kline on new leadership position and Iran.

Posted at 5:15 PM on June 17, 2009 by Tom Scheck (0 Comments)

MPR's Tim Pugmire talked with GOP Rep. John Kline this afternoon about Kline's election to become the GOP lead on the House Education and Labor Committee.

Kline said it's an honor to be in the position. He said health care, card check and No Child Left Behind Reauthorization are going to the be the big items he expects to focus on.

Kline also discussed the situation in Iran.

You can listen to the interview here:

Listen

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