Capitol View: June 2, 2011 Archive

Koch: Decision on government shutdown would be on Dayton

Posted at 8:20 AM on June 2, 2011 by Elizabeth Dunbar (6 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature

GOP Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch says the decision on a government shutdown "lies with the governor."

Koch, R-Buffalo, spoke to MPR's Morning Edition. She said she's looking forward to the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy hearing today.

"It's a way for people to fully understand the various budget proposals," she said. "We're looking forward to talking about our budget proposal and vet the governor's budget proposal."

Koch said Republicans want the revenue and finance commissioners to detail Gov. Mark Dayton's budget and proposed tax increases. She said she's also interested in hearing about a proposal to increase taxes in a way that wouldn't hurt small businesses.

"We're not interested in tax increases but we do want to talk about that proposal," Koch said. "It gets tossed around and people can offer compromises all day, but we really need to fully understand them."

Koch again argued that the GOP budget is increasing spending, despite the fact that federal stimulus money and a K-12 accounting shift was used in the last budget. She responded to that question in the interview:

"They used one-time federal stimulus money and a one-time gimmick shift as ongoing funding. That's not our fault, that's not the governor's fault, that was decisions made by other Legislatures and other administrations. One-time money should not be used as ongoing funding. Even if you count that in as reality, we're spending about the same," Koch said.

When asked about a possible government shutdown, Koch said it would be up to Dayton, because the Legislature already passed a balanced budget that he vetoed. But Koch said a budget deal can be reached.

"There's absolutely time to finish this out," she said.

Independence Party opposes same-sex marriage amendment

Posted at 9:31 AM on June 2, 2011 by Elizabeth Dunbar
Filed under: MN Legislature

The chairman of Minnesota's Independence Party says the party opposes a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in the state.

The Legislature passed the measure on May 21, and it will be on the ballot for the 2012 election. It asks voters if marriage should be defined as only between one man and one woman.

In a statement, Independence Party Chairman Mark Jenkins said the amendment goes against the party's platform, which declares that it opposes "having the government impose state-sponsored morality or values on people of good conscience with differing views."

Jenkins also asked fellow members of the party and all Minnesotans to "work to defeat" the constitutional amendment.

The full statement is on the party's website.

GOP legislative leaders rule out mediator

Posted at 1:12 PM on June 2, 2011 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)
Filed under: MN Legislature, Mark Dayton

GOP legislative leaders say they are ruling out Gov. Mark Dayton's suggestion that they bring in an outside mediator to help bridge the divide on the state's budget.

Dayton made the proposal earlier today. GOP House Speaker Kurt Zellers says Dayton and lawmakers were "elected to lead."

Dayton and lawmakers are at odds over the best way to craft a two year budget that erases a $5 billion budget deficit. Dayton wants to raise income taxes on Minnesota's top earners to erase part of the deficit. GOP legislative leaders say they can erase the budget deficit through spending cuts.

Dayton says he's waiting for Republicans to make a counter proposal to his plan to raise $1.8 billion in taxes. Republicans say they want Dayton to provide greater specifics on where he would make $1.8 billion in spending reductions.

Dayton and GOP legislative leaders are scheduled to meet privately tomorrow at 9 a.m. GOP Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch wouldn't say if they will make a budget offer to Dayton at tomorrow's meeting.

GOP Leaders take questions from reporters: