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State Representative
Torrey Westrom
443 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 296-4929 E-mail: rep.torrey.westrom@house.mn
Email Update
Dear Neighbor,
Last week was a busy week here at the House of Representatives. Several bills were introduced, but here’s an update on two bills that were introduced last week, House File 1 and House File 2. We are pleased to have put together bills to help businesses to expand in Minnesota and to put us on the right path to balancing the budget.
Legislation:
House File 1 is being authored by Rep. Dan Fabian of house district 1A. He is a teacher and crop insurance adjuster in Roseau. The bill will include:
· Establishing a 150 day goal for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue permits and require a report on applications not meeting that goal.
· Eliminate district court review of environmental review decisions and send all appeals directly to the Court of Appeals.
· Allow a project proposer the option prepare the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), rather than waiting for a regulated government unit such as a state agency or local government.
House File 2 is being authored by Rep. King Banaian of house district 15B; he is a professor of economics at St. Cloud State University and is also a part of the freshman class with me. His bill is regarding priority-based budgeting, commonly known as zero-based budgeting. This bill will:
· Enact a priority-based biennial budget for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 that aligns state’s available revenues to core state functions.
· Requires a 10-year planned review, beginning in 2013, by the Office of the Legislative Auditor on the sunset of all state agencies, advisory committees, policy boards and agency functions to determine whether a public need exists for continuation.
· Holds public meetings on review to allow citizen engagement.
Another bill introduced last week is the Nuclear Moratorium Repeal, authored by Rep. Joyce Peppin from Rogers. This bill was passed in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources committee and is heading to the Commerce Committee now.
I always welcome your input and ideas; one way to pass along your thoughts and ideas during the session is by e-mailing me at rep.torrey.westrom@house.mn. You can also reach my office at 800-711-2620 or 651-296-4929. I also enjoy when my constituents stop by my office, I am located at 443 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. St. Paul, MN 55155. Feel free to email or call to set up an appointment.
Sincerely,
Torrey
State Representative
Torrey Westrom
443 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 296-4929 E-mail: rep.torrey.westrom@house.mn
Serving Stevens, Grant and Douglas Counties
Email Update
Dear Neighbor,
The $6.2 billion budget deficit will hopefully drop to $5.2 billion upon Governor Dayton’s signature. In order to tackle this deficit an early action budget bill was announced and should make its way to the House floor for a vote Thursday. This bill will take immediate action to reduce the budget deficit by $1 billion. It also addresses structural spending problems by making one-time reductions from this year permanent and prevents state agencies from spending unnecessary funds at the end of the year. This bill will do the following:
No Christmas in June
-Reduces current state agency spending by $200 million.
-Gives the Finance Commissioner authority to reduce agencies by $200 million in the current budget.
-Sets a priority that K-12 education, special education, and colleges and universities cannot be reduced.
-Prevents a “Christmas in June” where agencies spend extra money on non-essential items in order to show they shouldn’t be reduced.
Making the unallotments permanent
-Makes the one-time reductions (unallotments) from 2010 permanent
-Reduces the deficit by removing $840 million of automatic increases set for next year.
-Subjects the constitutional offices to a 5% reduction similar to what state agencies received
-Sets Local Government Aid at current levels while leaving the current formula in place.
-Permanently eliminates the Political Contribution Refund that subsidizes political campaigns.
This bill is a bi-partisan effort and is a good first step in conquering the deficit. It mimics the budget balancing bill that was passed by the DFL controlled legislature in 2010 and signed by Governor Pawlenty. Given the fiscal shape of the state has not improved this bill will make those one-time reductions permanent. We are rolling up our sleeves and we are ready to get to work on this.
I always welcome your input and ideas; one way to pass along your thoughts and ideas during the session is by e-mailing me at rep.torrey.westrom@house.mn. You can also reach my office at 800-711-2620 or 651-296-4929. I also enjoy when my constituents stop by my office, I am located at 443 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. St. Paul, MN 55155. Feel free to email or call to set up an appointment.
Sincerely,
Torrey
Y
State Representative
Torrey Westrom
443 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 296-4929 E-mail: rep.torrey.westrom@house.mn
Serving Stevens, Grant and Douglas Counties
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
This past week we voted on our first bill on the House floor, the Early Action Budget bill. There were other actions as well including the bill I am authoring House File 203. There are other bills proposing to reign in the regulatory authority and improve permitting processes in the State of Minnesota.
Early Action Budget Bill:
The early action budget bill was passed Thursday evening. The bill takes immediate action to reduce the budget deficit by $1 billion. This bill is fiscally responsible and makes government live within its means. It begins the process of tackling the $6.2 billion deficit. This is a must needed first step toward balancing our budget. Republicans and Democrats both approved a similar bill last year in a bi-partisan effort to balance the budget in 2010.
House File 203: Reigning in Regulatory Agencies
This bill would require a state agency to determine if the initial or yearly net cost of complying with proposed rules on any one person or entity will exceed $10,000. An administrative law judge must review and approve the determination. If it is determined that the cost of the rules exceeds the $10,000 threshold, the rules do not take effect until re-approved by the legislature. This bill passed in both bodies in 2003 with wide margins of support but was unfortunately vetoed by the Governor. This is a must needed step in regulating government agencies.
House File 1:
This bill will streamline the permitting and environmental review process, making it easier for job creators to expand here in Minnesota. It has passed through the Civil Law committee this week and is now continuing its way through other committees for review.
I always welcome your input and ideas; one way to pass along your thoughts and ideas during the session is by e-mailing me at rep.torrey.westrom@house.mn. You can also reach my office at 800-711-2620 or 651-296-4929. I also enjoy when my constituents stop by my office, I am located at 443 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. St. Paul, MN 55155. Feel free to email or call to set up an appointment.
Sincerely,
Torrey
State Representative
Torrey Westrom
443 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 296-4929 E-mail: rep.torrey.westrom@house.mn
Serving Stevens, Grant and Douglas Counties
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
This past week has been busy with a number of topics at the State Legislature as well as Governor Dayton’s State of the State address. Alternative Teacher Licensure, Photo ID, and the introduction of Governor Dayton’s bonding proposals as well as House File 203 continuing to move through committee.
House File 63: Alternative Teacher Licensure
This week the House voted and passed the Alternative Teacher Licensure bill. This bill aims to give professionals who desire and are qualified to become teachers and apply for an alternative teacher license. The Board of Teaching will be required to approve qualified teacher preparation programs designed to award two-year limited term licenses and to prepared applicants for a standard entrance license. School districts (or charter schools) will partner with any of the following:
· college or university with a board-approved alternative teacher prep program
· a nonprofit corporation formed for an education-related purpose subject to existing statute with a board-approved teacher prep program
· a board-approved teacher preparation program within a district
Photo ID
Voter ID legislation was being heard in the Government Operations and Elections committee this week. Many people came to testify as to why they believe voters should have to present a photo ID before voting or not. This bill says that a voter must present a picture identification before receiving a ballot, and that if a person who is eligible to vote but currently does not have proper identification can be issued a state identification card free of charge. This bill passed out of the Government Operations and Elections Committee this week.
Governor Dayton’s State of the State Address
Legislators agree with Governor Dayton’s goals of a more prosperous Minnesota with a better economy and more jobs. But the tax increases he proposes seem to contradict his goal. Minnesota cannot afford higher taxes for more government spending.
Jobs are everyone’s top priority and this week we passed the House of Representatives House File 1 jobs bill to reduce regulations and streamline permitting. This will make Minnesota’s business climate more job-friendly and send the message that we want them to come here, stay here and grow here. Governor Dayton should be commended for taking pro-active steps to implement most of this bill by executive order recently. HF 1 will now make his executive order permanent with a couple of improvements.
Governor Dayton’s Bonding Bill
This year Governor Dayton chose to introduce a bonding bill. Traditionally this is done after a budget year. This year is a budget year and next year is typically to be a bonding year. We just passed a large bonding bill last year. In Governor Dayton’s proposal he suggests allocating over $83 million to projects like making improvements to the Target Center and the St. Paul Saints baseball stadium. That is just part of the bonding recommendations the Governor has to pay for with money we don’t have. This year if we did do a bonding bill it would be very small and would focus only on emergencies such as addressing the flooding concerns in Greater Minnesota. .
Emily’s Law
This week Emily Johnson’s parents, Travis and Lynn testified at the Public Safety committee hearing on Thursday in support of Emily’s law. This bill is in regards to the death of Emily Johnson in 2006. She was killed by the 13-year old son of her daycare provider. The bill would give judges the discretion to lower the age of [extended jurisdiction juvenile (EJJ) determination or] adult certification to 10 for only violent felony crimes that cause significant injury to a person. It would also restrict the courts from expunging these criminal records until a teen is 28 instead of age 19. The bill was laid over for interested parties to try and work out some differences and concerns that were brought forward at the committee.
House File 203: Reigning in Regulatory Agencies - Update
This bill, we wrote about last week is currently being heard in the Government Operations committee as it continues to make its way to the House floor.
Don’t forget to ‘like’ my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#!/pages/Representative-Torrey-Westrom/184196828271562
Check out my video update on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/user/MNHouseGOP#p/a/u/0/Ogj5wAmhBg8
Sincerely,
Torrey
P.S. Pass this email on to your friends and let them know to sign up for my weekly email updates at www.house.mn/11a
I always welcome your input and ideas; one way to pass along your thoughts and ideas during the session is by e-mailing me at rep.torrey.westrom@house.mn. You can also reach my office at 800-711-2620 or 651-296-4929. I also enjoy when my constituents stop by my office, I am located at 443 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. St. Paul, MN 55155. Feel free to email or call to set up an appointment.
Representative Torrey Westrom
Chairman of the House Civil Law Committee
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
I am once again going to be hosting town hall meetings with Senator Ingebrigtsen this Friday February 25th. The turnout for previous town hall meetings has been great and the lawmakers say it is helpful to have public input as they make their way through the current legislative session. Everyone is welcome to attend and constituents are encouraged to offer constructive reforms, ideas to eliminate government waste and ways to balance the budget. Please see the schedule below.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this update. A legislative survey will be posted online and I would encourage constituents to visit this link below and take the survey. I have also posted my survey on my facebook page. Paper copies of the survey will be at the town meetings as well. I always appreciate your input and thank you for participating in the legislative process. Your comments are very much appreciated.
www.surveymonkey.com/11Asurvey
www.facebook.com – Torrey Westrom State Representative
Elbow Lake 7-8 am
Knotty Pines Bar and Grill
12 Central Avenue North
Chokio 9-10 am
Federated Telephone Cooperative
405 2nd Street East
Morris 10:30-11:30 am
Detoy's Family Restaurant
802 Atlantic Avenue
Hoffman 12:20-1:20 pm
Dew Drop Inn
10614 140th St
Evansville 2-3 pm
Evansville Care Center
651 State St NW
Alexandria 3:45-4:45 pm
Traveler's Inn Restaurant
511 Broadway Street
(Representative Franson will be joining us at this location)
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
Last Tuesday Legislators received Governor Dayton’s budget proposal entailing a plan to raise taxes and calls for increased K-12 education funding. Governor Dayton is also calling for a 5% reduction to most state agencies in addition to a $400 million reduction to the Department of Health and Human Services proposed increases.
We have arrived at a day of reckoning. Governor Dayton is proposing substantial tax increases on hard working citizens of Minnesota. He is proposing $4.1 billion in tax increases in the midst of an economic slowdown that is showing little recovery and could reverse economic gains in recent months. Adding a 5th tier tax bracket will unequivocally make Minnesota the highest taxed state in the country, not a good message to job creators when we're begging for them to help create more jobs in our state.
With Governor Dayton’s plan a 4th and 5th tier to the tax rate system would be added and the 4th tier would make us the second highest taxed state in the nation at 10.95% just shy of the highest states, Oregon and Hawaii, who are taxed at 11% each. Minnesota will be the highest taxed state in the nation at 13.95% with the 5th tier to the bracketing system.
It sends a negative but strong message to businesses and the hard working people of Minnesota that prosperity is fair game for insatiable state government spending. $4 of new taxes for every $1 of reduction in spending is unacceptable. A Medical Assistance surcharge including the ‘senior tax’ on persons living in nursing homes means our aging baby boomers will have to contend with additional expense of living in Minnesota during retirement years.
Jokingly, Westrom Said, "We’ll need to tax our U-Hauls leaving Minnesota with our job providers". Governor Dayton has sent a clear message to our small businesses and unlike Wisconsin posted a sign that says business not welcome here. (Referring to the recent signs posted in Wisconsin facing Minnesota saying, "open for business".)
Town halls coming soon. Please be watching your email for a list of town halls near you. And take a moment to fill out this online survey. We appreciate your feedback as it will help us during this legislative session. Thank you.
Committee Updates:
State Government Finance committee: The issue of lottery's and gambling were a hot topic issue last week. Officials heard from those who regulate the state's lottery, horse racing and charitable gambling industries.
Education Finance committee: Heard H.F. 346 which would allow temporary authorization , due to expire June 30, 2011, that allows any district to transfer up to $51 per pupil unit, or 1 percent of the basic formula allowance per pupil, from its operating capital reserve to its general fund balance.
Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources committee: Heard HF 332 which would prohibit the state from acquiring additional land unless and equal amount is sold off.
Health and Human Services committee: HF 199, the Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act passed committee this week. It would declare that it is state public policy for every resident to have the freedom of choice in choosing whether or not to carry health care insurance.
Higher Education: Steve Sviggum, David Larson, David McMillan and Laura Brod were all confirmed this week to the University of Minnesota board of regents. They were approved by a joint meeting of the House and Senate on Monday Feb. 21st.
Taxes: Lawmakers began going over Governor Dayton's budget proposal.
Interesting Reads
http://www.startribune.com/politics/blogs/113981529.html
http://www.startribune.com/local/116658894.html
Don’t forget to ‘like’ my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#!/pages/Representative-Torrey-Westrom/184196828271562
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
P.S. Pass this email on to your friends and let them know to sign up for my weekly email updates at www.house.mn/11a
I always welcome your input and ideas; one way to pass along your thoughts and ideas during the session is by e-mailing me at rep.torrey.westrom@house.mn. You can also reach my office at 800-711-2620 or 651-296-4929. I also enjoy when my constituents stop by my office, I am located at 443 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. St. Paul, MN 55155. Feel free to email or call to set up an appointment.
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
On Monday February 28th, Legislators received the traditional February budget forecast from the state economist. The forecast indicates a revenue increase of $1.2 billion to the good, reducing the November projected deficit from $6.2 billion to about $5 billion. This forecast gives legislators the most up to date budget projections for a better picture of how much revenue can be expected this biennium.
The improvement in the economy is an encouraging sign, but it should be taken with extreme caution. This doesn’t mean we are out of the woods yet, we will still have some tough decisions to make and I believe we should use this windfall as a way to replenish our state’s Rainy day fund and cash flow reserves.
In the last forecast, it was estimated that state revenues would increase from approximately $30 billion to $32 billion, or about a 6 percent increase. The $6.2 billion deficit that you keep hearing about is because government expenditures are automatically set to increase about 28 percent.
I am optimistic about our economy and improving job growth in Minnesota. By reducing the net increase in expenditures that are automatically set to increase, we can set Minnesota back on a stable economic path. Minnesota families and small businesses have to live within their means and state government needs to do the same; $32-$33 billion is enough.”
President Obama's agreement in Dec. 2010 to extend the federal tax cuts is credited for about 40% of the windfall in this February forecast. Capital gains taxes were the greatest area the state benefitted from and it is credited to the tax cuts that remained in effect which President Obama signed recently to extend into law.
Committee Updates:
Education: Alternative paths to become a licensed teacher are closer to becoming law after a six-member conference committee adopted a report on HF63/ SF40. This bill passed out of the house on Thursday.
Education: The House Ways and Means Committee approved a bill that would repeal a statute which last year allowed the state to tap school districts’ cash reserves to cover its cash flow crunch. Sponsored by Rep. Tim Kelly (R-Red Wing), HF576 now goes to the House floor.
State Government: State Auditor Rebecca Otto said her office is one of the leanest in state government, but House members questioned whether a proposed compensation increase for her employees is needed. Gov. Mark Dayton’s budget proposal includes an $809,000 increase in pay and benefits for the office’s 115 employees. Spaced out over two years, the proposal calls for a 3.6 percent increase in fiscal year 2012 and 5.2 percent in fiscal year 2013. During a presentation to the House State Government Finance Committee, Otto was questioned by committee members concerned about the proposed increase
Housing: A standing-room only crowd heard testimony on a bill that would prohibit state building or fire codes from requiring the installation of fire sprinklers in new or existing single-family homes. Rep. Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers), the sponsor of HF460, told the House Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee that, according to the National Fire Protection Association, a homeowner has a 99.45 percent chance of surviving a fire if an up-to-date smoke detector is installed and a 99.85 percent chance if a sprinkler is installed.
Interesting Reads
Wall Street Journal: Why Koch Industries Is Speaking Out
’Star Tribune: 3Ms CEO says Obama is driving firms away
Don’t forget to ‘like’ my facebook page
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
P.S. Pass this email on to your friends and let them know to sign up for my weekly email updates at www.house.mn/11a
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
This week has been a busy week for me. We are still reviewing budget information in our committees and I also introduced a bill this week in the Civil Law committee. House File 203 passed the House late last week as well.
Budget:
I am optimistic about our economy and improving job growth in Minnesota. By reducing the net increase in expenditures that are automatically set to increase, we can set Minnesota back on a stable economic path. Minnesota families and small businesses have to live within their means and state government needs to do the same; $32-$33 billion still represents a 6-9% increase in the next biennial budget—is all we have to spend and ought to be enough.
Small Business Bill of Rights Bill:
On Wednesday I introduced a bill in the Civil Law committee called, the Small Business Bill of Rights-Regulatory Fairness Act, tightening up state agencies regulation of small businesses. This bill would introduce a set of factors that all agencies are required to consider when issuing a penalty for first time violations. Some of these factors are already used by agencies, but they are not written into statute and not always followed.
“The Small Business Bill of Rights will create improved cooperation between state agencies and small businesses,” said Rep. Westrom. “It is our desire to create a more harmonious relationship with those entities that are being regulated within state agencies. Some penalties given out by state agencies do not achieve the desired improvement of small businesses, it does the opposite: it terminates the business.”
The factors are designed to encourage the agency to work cooperatively with a regulated entity prior to issuing a potentially devastating fine, and to take into consideration the cooperativeness and economic realities of small farms, independent mechanics, and other small businesses when levying a fine.
Caps and fines for first time violations would fall to 20% of the statutory maximum except in cases where the violations present an imminent and substantial endangerment.
House File 203:
This pertains to many businesses and entities in Minnesota. If a state agency issues a new compliance rules and they would cost an entity more than $10,000 to make the improvement or comply with the new law, the new law put forth by the agency would need to be re-approved by the legislature first.
Committee Updates:
Education: Governor signs alternative pathways to licensure. Midcareer professionals and others pursuing a nontraditional route to teacher licensure, such as members of Teach for America, will be able to earn a two-year license, renewable for a third year, and become eligible for full licensure, under a new law signed by Gov. Mark Dayton.
Veterans Affairs: Income tax break proposed for AGRs. Minnesota law currently provides income tax breaks for members of the Minnesota National Guard and other reserve members of the U.S. military, but not for those members who serve on Active Guard and Reserve status. HF727, sponsored by Rep. Kory Kath (DFL-Owatonna), would grant soldiers and airmen with AGR status the same tax benefits as their counterparts in the guard or reserves. AGR personnel provide support services to the National Guard and Reserve organizations.
Agriculture: Cattle grazing on public land could be a ‘win-win’. Allowing cattle to graze on publicly owned land could be a win-win situation for ranchers and the Department of Natural Resources looking for ways to maintain its thousands of acres. But before it happens, there may need to be some legal protections in place for owners and the public. Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck) has an “idea in progress” that would ensure that a private owner grazing livestock, under an agreement with the DNR, would not be liable for a death or injury to a person that occurs as a result of the livestock being in the field. While there was general agreement in the House Civil Law Committee that Anderson’s bill, HF625, is a good idea, it’s unintended consequences was cause to lay it over, at least until some issues could be worked through.
Don’t forget to ‘like’ my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#!/pages/Representative-Torrey-Westrom/184196828271562
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
P.S. Pass this email on to your friends and let them know to sign up for my weekly email updates at www.house.mn/11a
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
Last week was a busy week for me. An abortion reform bill, known as the Pain-capable Unborn Child Protection Act, just passed the Civil Law committee and we are continuing to review the budget in our various committees.
Budget:
As we continue reviewing the budget in our committees, the budget targets released indicate an increase of 6-9% in revenue for the next biennium. The new budget targets also indicate a reduction in the lower and middle income tax rates. The lower income tax rate would be reduced from 5.35% to 4.75% by 2014. The middle income tax rate would be reduced from 7.05% to 6.75% in 2014. Minnesotans would also see corporate income tax relief as well as business property tax relief.
House File 939 – Private Prison Bill
This bill would require the commissioner of administration to issue a request for proposals for operation of correctional facilities for state inmates. This bill passed the Civil Law committee and will now make its way to the Public Safety and Crime Prevention committee.
House File 936 – Abortion Law Reform
Representative Holberg, chief author, introduced a bill in the Health and Human Services committee last week that would reform abortion laws. This bill would require abortion providers to determine the probable post-fertilization age of a fetus prior to performing an abortion and would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks, unless exceptions apply. Being pro-life, I voted for this bill in committee along with another bill that would end the funding of tax dollars being used to fund abortions.
Committee Updates:
Ways and Means: Budget targets approved on a 17-13 vote, members of the House Ways and Means Committee signed off on budget targets that would include spending cuts to some areas of state government. The House’s Republican majority is proposing to live within our means and spend only $34.26 billion from the state’s General Fund in fiscal years 2012-2013. Compared to forecasted spending levels, that represents a proposed 12.2 percent cut; however, it would still be a 5.5 percent increase over current biennial General Fund spending. “We feel that these numbers are living within our means, and that we’ll be able to meet the necessary needs of the state in the numbers reflected in this target,” said Committee Chairwoman Mary Liz Holberg (R-Lakeville).
Taxes: Tax bill aims to help lower income earners. The House Taxes Committee got its first look at the taxes portion of its omnibus bill (HF42), which over fiscal years 2012 and 2013 anticipates a $2.96 billion General Fund reduction, and would provide breaks to those in the lower to middle tax brackets.
Public Safety: Proposals could be submitted for private prisons closed in 2010, the privately owned Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton could once again house inmates, under a bill sponsored by Rep. Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake). HF939 would allow the commissioner of administration to seek proposals from private entities to operate correctional facilities. “This is a policy to allow private prisons to be part of the solution to save money and house inmates. … The idea is how can we have a private-public mix of corrections and potentially save the taxpayers’ money,” Westrom told the House Civil Law Committee.
Don’t forget to ‘like’ my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#!/pages/Representative-Torrey-Westrom/184196828271562
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
P.S. Pass this email on to your friends and let them know to sign up for my weekly email updates at www.house.mn/11a
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
We have had a busy week so far going through budgets that have passed through various committees this week. Balancing the budget is the top priority right now.
Budget:
The K-12 budget came out of the Education committee this week and the State Legislature will be voting on this bill soon. This budget confirms a commitment to prioritize schools and reform education. It provides stable, equitable funding for schools across the state. It’s also creating new accountability programs and relieving schools of costly mandates.
In regards to funding, this bill would increase per-pupil funding by $126 through 2014 and adds funding for small schools with less than 1,000 students. This bill also aims to help our students receive the best education they can have by providing new enrollment options for students attending school in low-performing districts mainly in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area - many of them have more than 60% of their students who cannot read at their current grade level.
Scholarships will be available to students and parents wishing to send their students to better performing school districts. This bill also repeals the integration aid program and redistributes the money to the per-pupil formula to benefit every student across the state, not just those students in the metro area.
The integration funding program is universally seen as ineffective and in need of reform.
Moving integration funding to the general formula lets districts spend it as they see best, not on a state-mandated and ineffective program. (This would be done in some school districts)
The bill also creates an A-F school grading system, making it easy to evaluate and compare schools and it creates a new teacher evaluation system based on student academic achievement and locally-determined factors. This new evaluation will replace the seniority-based retention process and relieves districts of state-imposed mandates.
The new teacher evaluation program gives local districts a say over how their teachers are evaluated and ends the “last hired, first fired” way of evaluating teachers. It is a response to districts that ask for relief from state mandates, improving local control.
Committee Updates:
Dayton’s budget plan revised
State budget officials released detailed revisions to Gov. Mark Dayton’s biennial budget proposal.
The forecast, released Feb. 28 by MMB, showed the state’s biennial budget deficit shrank from $6.19 billion to $5.03 billion. Dayton previously stated that he would alter his plan to accommodate the new figure.
Major changes, as outlined in the official MMB documents, include:
• eliminating a proposed 3 percent surtax on incomes over $500,000;
• reinstating $170.3 million in proposed health and human services spending; and
• adding a proposal to boost the research and development tax credit by $21.8 million.
In total, Dayton’s revised budget proposal would spend $37.33 billion from the General Fund — an increase of $235 million over his original plan. House Republicans are proposing to spend just $34.26 billion.
State Government Finance: Omnibus state government finance bill released
A proposed omnibus finance bill released today would cut spending on state government by more than one-third over the next two years.
Sponsored by Rep. Morrie Lanning (R-Moorhead), the bill covers funding for the Legislature, the constitutional offices, Minnesota Management & Budget, the Revenue Department and nearly two dozen other state agencies. Members of the House State Government Finance Committee have scheduled multiple hearings on the bill this week.
Next week is expected to be a busy week on the House Floor as we start to debate and pass the initial budget balancing bills. Closing the over $5 billion deficit is again the top priority.
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
P.S. Pass this email on to your friends and let them know to sign up for my weekly email updates at www.house.mn/11a
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
We have had a very busy week at the House of Representatives. We are now voting on the House floor for the proposed budget bills in the finance committees.
Budget:
On Monday we voted on the taxes finance bill. A key element of economic recovery is putting more money back into the economy. The best way to do that is to put it into the hands of the taxpayers. The proposed budget provides tax relief to lower and middle income Minnesotans.
Rep. Steve Drazkowski spoke on the House floor about wasteful spending on Monday. Below is a clip of his floor speech and examples of the wasteful spending he talks about.
http://youtu.be/shJoYw_3sNY
Wasteful Spending
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12/11/200 8
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$5.3 Million
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"Green" roof for Target Center
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FY 2009
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$250,000
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Bicycle sharing program
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FY 2009
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$1.5 Million
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"improving pedestrian environment"
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FY 2009
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$700,000
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Light rail study
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FY 2009
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$40,000
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Bike rack program
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$1.1 Million
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Property for skate park
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2/1/2011
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$200,000
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Promote drinking tap water
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Various
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$2.8 Million
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Artificial turf at McMurray Field
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The passed taxes budget aims to do the following:
Individual Income Tax Cut
· Reduces the 1st-tier income tax rate from 5.35% to 4.75 percent.
· Reduces the 2nd-tier from 7.05% to 6.75%.
The best thing government can do to get more money into people’s pockets is to cut their income taxes, plain and simple. We saw when Pres. Obama and Congress extended the Bush tax cuts this past December, that if you let people keep more of their money they’ll do what’s best for their families and boost the economy.
Property Taxes
· Increases or holds steady LGA aid for Greater Minnesota cities and some suburbs. Reduces LGA for Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Duluth with a phase out of funding for these cities of the first class in FY15.
· Increases funding for the property tax refund.
· Provides cities with more certainty in receiving funds from property taxes by replacing the market value credit with an exemption that reduces the class rate for homesteads by up to 40 percent and shifts the burden to all types of property.
Quick Facts on Property Taxes
· Minnesota is one of the 37 states that collect property taxes at both the state and local levels.
· Minnesota taxing entities did increase property tax levies from 2010 to 2011, but it was the lowest increase in more than a decade. (Source: Department of Revenue)
o 1.9 percent increase in 2011. ($149.8 million)
o 3.2 percent increase in 2010 ($243.9 million)
· 50 percent of the population lives in cities that do not receive LGA.
We have also passed six other budget balancing bills off the House Floor this past week. They include Taxes, Transportation, Agriculture, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Public Safety and Judiciary bills. These bills will all be heading to conference committee's to work out differences with the Senate and Governor Dayton before they will come back for re-passage.
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
P.S. Pass this email on to your friends and let them know to sign up for my weekly email updates at www.house.mn/11a
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
This week we have voted on the last of the omnibus bills, jobs and economic development, state government finance, and health and human services. Each of these bills brings needed reforms to government and will help put Minnesotans back to work.
State Government Finance Bill HF 577: More information can be found here http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/bs/87/HF0577.html
Unlike previous legislatures, this bill leaves the status quo behind, leveraging innovation and reform to make our HHS system accountable, responsible and sustainable. The $601 million bill is a 33 percent reduction from base level funding. It makes no reductions to Veterans Affairs, increases Military Affairs by 8 percent and provides a $100,000 per year grant to the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans to help our homeless veterans.
The Minnesota Legislature and state constitutional offices see reductions between 8 and 12 percent, while other agencies and boards in the bill see reductions between 2 and 20 percent.
A couple of reforms mentioned in the bill include:
· 15% reduction of state workforce by 2015 through attrition, retirement or other means.
· Sunset Commission to review and retire unnecessary state activities and spending.
· Zero based budgeting principles.
Committee Updates:
We have also passed 8 other budget balancing bills off the House Floor in the last 2 weeks. They include Taxes, Transportation, Agriculture, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Public Safety, Judiciary, Jobs and Economic Development as well as Health and Human Services bills. These bills will all be heading to conference committee's to work out differences with the Senate and Governor Dayton before they will come back for re-passage.
More information about each of the omnibus bills can be found here (look for omnibus bills on the left hand side and then click on the bill number)
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/bills/hotlist.asp?ls_year=87&session_number=0&session_year=2011
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
Now that our budget bills have passed the House we have begun work in conference committees. I have been named to the Transportation Conference Committee. In these committees House and Senate members will work out the differences between their two bills so that one final bill can be presented to the Governor for his signature.
Emily’s Law, House File 1428, was heard in the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee and is expected to come back up on April 26th for another hearing, where it would be referred to the Judiciary committee upon passage.
The Civil Law Committee passed HF 322, with bipartisan support. This bill gives a presumption of 45.1% parenting time to both parents in a contested custody case, current law presumes 25%. It also provides the judge discretion to overcome that presumption in cases of neglect, abuse or other behavior by a parent that does not merit equal parenting time. The goal of this bill is to give equal footing to deserving parents who both want to be involved in their children's lives after a divorce.
The Small Business “Bill of Rights” passed the Civil Law Committee on Wednesday. This bill would introduce a set of factors that all agencies are required to consider when issuing a penalty against small businesses for first time violations. In most cases, agencies can assess fines of $10,000-25,000 a day --which can mount up quickly for small businesses. It would place a 25% cap on fines that aren’t willful or intentional. In a rare case of an agency that does have evidence this bill would allow small businesses to take action against the agency.
House File 1343, authored by Rep. Bob Dettmer, was passed out of the Civil Law committee this week. This bill brings clarification to a part of the law in regards to schools and recreational activities. Some legal research done on just this little subdivision in the law turned up over 40 cases that made it to the court of appeals or Supreme Court. This bill, promoted by the American Heart Association, would open schools to third parties for recreational activities and is aimed at preventing obesity by encouraging exercise. A discrepancy in current law makes schools cautious to opening doors to third parties to use the school for recreational activities. This bill removes a barrier for schools to open their doors or their facilities to allow more recreational activities by third parties. It does this by clarifying the law in the area of school liability for recreational use.
More information about each of the omnibus bills can be found here (look for omnibus bills on the left hand side and then click on the bill number)
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/bills/hotlist.asp?ls_year=87&session_number=0&session_year=2011
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
P.S. Pass this email on to your friends and let them know to sign up for my weekly email updates at www.house.mn/11a
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
Zebra mussels have become a growing problem in Minnesota this year and a bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives to combat this problem. This bill includes recommendations of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to address aquatic invasive species (Zebra Mussels). It makes a number of changes to provisions regulating aquatic invasive species and aquatic plant management, including providing additional police power authorities to DNR and law officers to perform inspections. The bill would also require permits for those installing docks and other water related equipment. The bill would also increase fines and penalties, and it requires decals to be displayed on watercrafts.
Some proponents of this bill have felt it doesn't go far enough to step-up enforcement to eradicate any transporting of these invasive species. Others have expressed concerns that this bill will result in too much intrusion of personal freedoms and cost too much to police every public access that is regularly used.
Representative Mary Franson and I have recently introduced another bill that would establish three pilot projects to test new treatments that could substantially eradicate zebra mussels from our public waters. The bill would call for one test site to be in Douglas County and require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to select at least two other sites to do a pilot project with these new treatments.
Two forms of treatment have been brought to our attention that has been used with reasonable success in other states. The manufacturer of one, a novel approach that has proven extremely effective when applied to zebra mussels, has been seeking a state agency to partner with for open water tests. The other was used by Virginia's Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to eradicate zebra mussels from a popular recreational lake in a critical watershed area.
It is important to find ways to get these invasive species under control before they keep expanding into more of our lakes and streams. Otherwise, they pose a serious economic risk to our tourism industry and the simple pleasures of swimming and fishing in our 10,000 lakes.
More information about this can be found here: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=House&f=HF1439&ssn=0&y=2011
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Below are the results of our electronic survey this session that Senator Ingebrigtsen and I put out.
If you haven’t taken the survey yet, you can here: www.surveymonkey.com/11A
1. Which County are you from?
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1A Douglas
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72
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45.28%
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1B Grant
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22
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13.84%
|
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1C Stevens
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47
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29.56%
|
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1D Other
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17
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10.69%
|
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|
|
|
|
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2. Do you support priority-based budgeting that requires justification for continued spending programs
rather than allowing the spending to automatically continue?
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2A-YES
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136
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85.53%
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2B-NO
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19
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11.95%
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3. Would you support limiting state government spending to the amount of revenues taken in?
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3A-YES
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111
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69.81%
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3B-NO
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42
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26.42%
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4. Should Minnesotans be required to provide
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photo identification as a requirement for voting?
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4A-YES
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115
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72.33%
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4B-NO
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42
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26.42%
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5. Minnesota has a Pollution Control Agency,
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a Department of Natural Resources and a
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Board of Water and Soil Resources. Should
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these be combined into one and reformed
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to save money and eliminate overlapping
|
|
activities?
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5A-YES
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115
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72.33%
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5B-NO
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40
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25.16%
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6. Many job creators have said they move
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|
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to other states because the environmental
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permitting process in Minnesota is too long
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and too expensive. Should the permitting
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process be reformed to remove this obstacle to job creation?
|
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6A-YES, Reform
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113
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71.07%
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6B-NO, Keep Process
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44
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27.67%
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|
|
|
|
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7. Do you agree with Gov. Dayton’s decision
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to enroll Minnesota in the early medical
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assistance under the new federal health care
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|
|
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bill passed last year at a cost of more than $1
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billion to taxpayers?
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|
|
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7A-YES
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56
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35.22%
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7B-NO
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94
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59.12%
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|
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|
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8. Would you support tying education funding and pay to student improvement?
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|
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|
|
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8A-YES
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75
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47.17%
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8B-NO
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73
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45.91%
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|
|
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|
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9. How important is building a new Vikings stadium?
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A. Not important at all
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B. Not very important
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C. Not sure
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D. Somewhat important
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|
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E. Very important
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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9A
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49
|
30.82%
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9B
|
38
|
23.90%
|
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9C
|
13
|
8.18%
|
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9D
|
33
|
20.75%
|
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9E
|
24
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15.09%
|
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10. What do you think would be the best way to fund a new stadium for the Vikings?
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A. Statewide sales tax
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|
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|
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B. Allow for Racino gambling at the Canterbury Downs race track
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|
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|
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C. Local sales tax for counties hosting stadium
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services purchased by football fans
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|
|
|
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E. Make Vikings ownership pay the costs/
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Government should not pay for new stadium
|
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|
|
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10A
|
11
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6.92%
|
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10B
|
39
|
24.53%
|
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10C
|
29
|
18.24%
|
|
10D
|
59
|
37.11%
|
|
10E
|
91
|
57.23%
|
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11. Would you support a constitutional
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Amendment making English Minnesota’s
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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official language for government documents?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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11A-YES
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121
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76.10%
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11B-NO
|
35
|
22.01%
|
|
12.Should the legislature allow consumers to purchase approved health care products across state lines?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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12A-YES
|
134
|
84.28%
|
|
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12B-NO
|
17
|
10.69%
|
|
13. Currently, unless parents agree to their own
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
custody agreement, Minnesota law presumes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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a 75/25 split in parenting time. Would you support modifying the child custody laws in Minnesota to include presumption of equal 50/50 parenting time?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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13A-YES
|
115
|
72.33%
|
|
|
13B-NO
|
29
|
18.24%
|
|
14. Which is the only river in Minnesota that runs north?
|
|
A. Red River
|
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B. Minnesota River
|
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C. Mississippi River
|
|
D. Cottonwood River
|
|
14A
|
148
|
93.08%
|
|
14B
|
2
|
1.26%
|
|
14C
|
3
|
1.89%
|
|
14D
|
1
|
0.63%
|
More information about each of the omnibus bills can be found here (look for omnibus bills on the left hand side and then click on the bill number)
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/bills/hotlist.asp?ls_year=87&session_number=0&session_year=2011
Interesting Reads:
Real Clear Markets: http://bit.ly/gSIkoK
How Risk Regulation Is Killing Risk Takers: One of the more fascinating, yet largely ignored, characteristics of human psyche is something called "loss aversion." This blip in human psychological development means that, generally, people are more afraid to lose something they have than they are motivated to gain something they don't have.
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
P.S. Pass this email on to your friends and let them know to sign up for my weekly email updates at www.house.mn/11a
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
A marriage amendment bill was introduced in the Senate this week and will be introduced in the House within the next week. The Senate language, authored by Senator Limmer (R-Maple Grove) includes: Proposing an amendment to the Minnesota constitution, article XIII recognizing marriage as a union between a man and a woman. This bill will put the question before voters to amend the state constitution to define marriage in Minnesota as a union of one man and one woman. As this bill moves forward in the Senate and the House I will keep you informed.
Zebra mussels, as I have mentioned in the past, have become a growing problem in Minnesota this year. A bill, House File 1162, includes recommendations of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to address aquatic invasive species (Zebra Mussels). It makes a number of changes to provisions regulating aquatic invasive species and aquatic plant management, including providing additional police power authorities to DNR and law officers to perform inspections. The bill would also require permits for those installing docks and other water related equipment. The bill would also increase fines and penalties, and it requires decals to be displayed on watercrafts. Concerns have been raised about how much new power this could give to the DNR, so there may be some changes still being made to this bill. Representative Mary Franson and I have also co-authored a bill that would establish pilot projects to use some new treatments that have been effective in other states to eradicate these invasive species from fresh water. We will need to likely attach this growing problem from a few different fronts
Emily’s Law Update: In Minnesota, children between the ages of 14 and 17 who are alleged to have committed a felony-level offense may be prosecuted as an extended jurisdiction juvenile (EJJ). This bill lowers the EJJ age to 13 years if the child is alleged to have committed a violent juvenile offense. An EJJ disposition includes a juvenile disposition and a stayed adult sentence that may be executed if the offender violates the juvenile disposition or commits a new offense. In contrast to EJJ dispositions for children age 14 to 17, this bill would not allow a stayed adult sentence for a 13 year old to include prison time in a state correctional facility for adults. As we continue work to move Emily’s law to the House floor for a vote I will keep you informed. Thanks for staying informed on this issue.
A sea-planes bill was heard in the Transportation Committee this weekend. This bill could provide a license to those requesting and qualifying to have a sea-plane base at a lake where there is no current base. The proposal would establish Flekkefjord Lake, by Elbow Lake Municipal Airport as a public Sea-Plane landing strip and be published in the state directory. Having a sea-plane base will help our area of the state as there are few sea-plane bases located in the western half of Minnesota and it will also be good for enhancing some local businesses.
As always let me know if there is anything I can help with.
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
P.S. Pass this email on to your friends and let them know to sign up for my weekly email updates at www.house.mn/11a
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
With just over 2 weeks to go this session we are beginning to wrap up policy bills being heard in committees and moving them to the floor as well as having conference committee meetings in order to get a finalized budget to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
Over the last couple weeks we have introduced a few constitutional amendments which would appear on the ballot in November 2012 for Minnesotans to vote on.
Voter ID would be one of the constitutional amendments put before voters. The Voter ID bill, introduced by Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, would require providing photo identification before one can vote. This bill proposes an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution requiring voters to present photographic identification and to establish eligibility to vote prior to casting a ballot. The amendment would also require the state to issue free identification to eligible voters.
H. F. 1612, authored by Rep. Keith Downey, proposes an amendment to the Minnesota constitution requiring that state expenditures from all sources for a two-year state budget must be limited to the amount of revenues received by the state for the previous biennium (two year period). It specifies that one-time repayments are exempt from this requirement and allows additional expenditures for a declared national security or peacetime emergency.
The marriage amendment bill has passed the House Civil Law and Ways and Means Committees. This bill would propose an amendment to the Minnesota constitution, article XIII recognizing marriage as a union between a man and a woman. This bill will put the question before voters to amend the state constitution to define marriage in Minnesota as a union of one man and one woman. As this bill moves forward in the Senate and the House I will keep you informed.
Rep. Rep. Steve Drazkowski has introduced a bill that would require a super-majority of the legislature to increase taxes, just as bonding (borrowing money) requires a super-majority to pass. A super-majority would be 81 votes in the House. Requires a three-fifths vote by each house of the legislature to enact a law that:
· Increases the general rate of an income or sales tax
· Increases the tax base of an income or sales tax
· Increases property taxes
· Enacts a new statewide tax of any type
This week the Redistricting Committee released the map that would change many legislative districts. Every 10 years after the U.S. Census the district lines are redrawn. If this map stays the same the most significant change would be an addition of two counties to my district, Big Stone and Traverse. However, Governor Dayton will also be weighing-in on this proposal and may also suggest changes.
Interesting Read:
Washington Post: Working up a tax storm in Illinois
Tim Storm, an Illinois businessman until a few weeks ago, is now a Wisconsin businessman. Herewith a story about how states can reduce revenue by trying to increase them and about the economic benefits of federalism.
As always let me know if there is anything I can help with.
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
As session begins to wrap up I’d like to mention a few items that we are continuing to work on and a couple of highlights from the past couple weeks.
As many of you know the fishing opener begins this weekend, Saturday, May 12. If you have any questions regarding fishing regulations in Minnesota, please don’t hesitate to call my office. You can also find more information by clicking on the link below. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/opener/fishing/index.html
The House GOP’s K-12 education bill includes many reforms, including ending wasteful integration aid; sun-setting ineffective compensatory programs that pit school districts against each other; enhanced accountability measures and changes to school grading; expanded family/student choices in education, and mandate relief.
This week was also a big week because I along with 92 other legislators from Minnesota and North Carolina filed an Amicus Brief challenging the constitutionality of Obamacare. Recently, this federal legislation was struck down by U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson of Florida, as a violation of the U.S. Constitution State Legislators take an oath to uphold our state and federal Constitution. It is our duty to not be complicit in allowing the federal government to violate the Commerce Clause and Tenth Amendment-no matter how good or bad the legislation is. By filing this brief we are defending our states’ rights and standing up for individual freedoms our Constitution intentionally intended to reserve to the states or its people.
We are continuing to meet in conference committees and are close to a final budget to present to the Governor. The Agriculture bill has already been passed and signed by the Governor. We are continuing to place priority on education, citizens that need care in nursing homes and our veterans. The nursing homes and veterans groups are held harmless in these bills and may even see some increased funding. We have made tax cuts to lower and middle class Minnesotans as well as for job creators. Minnesota needs to become a business-friendly state.
As always let me know if there is anything my office can help with.
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Friends,
As session begins to wrap up I’d like to mention a few items that we are continuing to work on and a couple of highlights from the past couple weeks.
As many of you know the fishing opener began this last weekend, Saturday, May 14. If you have any questions regarding fishing regulations in Minnesota, please don’t hesitate to call my office. You can also find more information HERE. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/opener/fishing/index.html
The House GOP’s K-12 education bill includes many reforms, including ending wasteful integration aid; sun-setting ineffective compensatory programs that pit school districts against each other; enhanced accountability measures and changes to school grading; expanded family/student choices in education, and mandate relief.
This week was also a big week because I along with 92 other legislators from Minnesota and North Carolina filed an Amicus Brief challenging the constitutionality of Obamacare. Recently, this federal legislation was struck down by U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson of Florida, as a violation of the U.S. Constitution State Legislators take an oath to uphold our state and federal Constitution. It is our duty to not be complicit in allowing the federal government to violate the Commerce Clause and Tenth Amendment-no matter how good or bad the legislation is. By filing this brief we are defending our states’ rights and standing up for individual freedoms our Constitution intentionally intended to reserve to the states or its people.
We are continuing to meet in conference committees and are close to a final budget to present to the Governor. The Agriculture bill has already been passed and signed by the Governor. We are continuing to place priority on education, citizens that need care in nursing homes and our veterans. The nursing homes and veterans groups are held harmless in these bills and may even see some increased funding. We have made tax cuts to lower and middle class Minnesotans as well as for job creators. Minnesota needs to become a business-friendly state.
As always let me know if there is anything my office can help with.
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear friends:
Yesterday we met with Governor Dayton to continue working toward a solution for the state budget. The GOP legislature met Governor Dayton half way with a 6% budget increase to $34 Billion. The Governor wants an increase in spending to $37.5 Billion....which would necessitate raising taxes.
All Minnesotans would see an increase in taxes under the Governor's proposal and we would become the 2nd highest taxed state in the country. No need to raise taxes and kill the fragile economic recovery when a budget increase of 6% can allow us to "live within our means" and be done without raising more taxes.
Isn't 6% of government growth enough?
Sincerely,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear friends:
Capitol update: This morning House leadership members met with the Governor to talk about the budget and the K-12 Education bill. Their response to the meeting in this video reflects the importance of finishing this budget on time. The House and Senate have both passed a $34.2 billion balanced budget, which includes a $3 billion increase over the last state budget of about $31 billion. A 6-9% increase in the State's next budget ought to be enough for the Governor to work with. We are pleading for him to not give up yet, we have 2 days to go, and a lot can happen between now and Monday at midnight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No15_TmyUjM&feature=youtu.be
Sincerely,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear friends:
Governor Dayton’s decision to allow Minnesota to go into a special session is disappointing. We worked hard this session to present a balanced budget that includes funding increases to K-12 Education as well as Health and Human Services. But because our budget does not include tax increases he will not sign it.
It is my hope that an agreement can be reached soon and a special session can be called to finalize a balanced budget. The Governor wants us to meet him half way and we have by including a $3 billion funding increase. Is a $3 billion increase not enough for Governor Dayton? How much is enough? If he is willing to “tax the rich” that means he is willing to tax anyone in Minnesota.
Where does it end Governor? We have to make reforms and that is just what the proposed House and Senate budgets do. It lives within our means and does not spend more than we are projected to take in. During these tumultuous times, it would be irresponsible of us to jeopardize any job creation and ask Minnesotans for more of their hard earned money, especially when we can already live within our means and continue to fund necessary programs.
Again, the balanced budget of $34.2 billion has been sitting on Governor Dayton's desk. This represents the largest budget in our state's history. It's a 6% increase over the last biennial budget and officially a 9% increase in the base budget because the prior budget had $1 billion of one-time "stimulus" money funding it. This debate is not actually over cutting or increasing government spending, it's merely about how much growth is enough? At this point in time, Governor Dayton is holding out for a 15% increase and the legislature has met him half way with a 9% increase.
I will continue working hard on your behalf, and hope that we come to a conclusion on the budget soon.
Sincerely,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Neighbor,
Governor Dayton has vetoed the balanced budget plan that increases state spending 6 percent, utilizing revenue growth under existing tax levels. This balanced budget that both the House and Senate approved would have raise education funding 3.2 percent, provide $570 million more in Health & Human Services funding and offers tax relief to businesses and middle-income Minnesotans-and most notably “lives within our means”.
Most of us know that in our communities, any family or business would see a 6 percent increase in their budget as a real boom, especially during these challenging economic times. They would also say that anything that could be done to make those dollars go further and work better must be done. That is what the legislature is focused on doing for the citizens and taxpayers.
As we wait for a budget deal to be reached and a special session to be called, we’ve returned home to our districts. Most people are still working hard to survive in this economy and keeping control on state spending and don’t raise my taxes is a clear theme.
That is what the voters said overwhelmingly in last falls’ election and we’ve worked to do just that during the regular session. Short of every citizen discovering a gold mine or winning the lottery, citizens are tapped out. They have and will continue to make necessary adjustments in their own lives; government will have to do the same. We will stand for these same principles as we head for a special session. Our constituents don’t want the government shutdown over a billion-dollar tax increase.
This debate is about what Minnesota can afford today, tomorrow and ten years from now. It is about creating a state where businesses grow jobs and thrive, where families have confidence in our economy and community institutions, and where our children wake up every day to a better Minnesota. That's what our budget plan does, and I hope the Governor will recognize that and come to the negotiating table to work out a budget deal that lives within our means. Remember, our most recent state base budget was $31 billion, the budget Governor Dayton vetoed was $34.2 billion and he wants $36-38 billion to spend instead, which is only possible by raising taxes.
Sincerely,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News from Representative Westrom’s Desk
Dear Neighbor,
This week we presented the Governor with a revised budget proposal that would meet his demands to increase education funding as well as for public safety and the judiciary.
This compromise offer meets the governor on his spending levels for ‘kids, courts and cops,’ which together make up half of the state budget. The offer goes a long way to resolving our differences and reaching an agreement before a shutdown. Most importantly, it only spends what’s in the checkbook and does not increase taxes.
Details of the compromise include increasing K-12 Education by $80 million to match the governor’s spending levels and it also includes $10 million for early childhood scholarships. The compromise also includes a $30 million increase for public safety and judiciary.
Although this compromise meets the Governor at his spending levels we do not leave out any education reforms originally proposed in our bill. These reforms are important for our students and for our public schools. We also achieve this compromise without raising taxes.
It is my hope that the governor will agree to this compromise and that we can continue moving forward in the negotiation process and reach a deal by July 1st.
I am committed to continue working hard on your behalf. If you have any legislative questions please don’t hesitate to contact my office, we are more than happy to help.
Sincerely,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
Happy Flag Day from Representative Westrom:
We celebrate 236 years of the American Flag today. I want to thank all of those who serve in our armed forces and remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. We are thankful for the freedoms we have each and every day, so today remember Flag Day and the greatness of our country and say thank you to our men and women in uniform.
Flag Day Facts:
While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation in 1916, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.
The U.S. flag has 13 horizontal stripes—alternating seven red and six white—with the red stripes at top and bottom. The canton, or union of navy blue, occupies the upper left-hand quarter next to the staff and extends from the top to the lower edge of the fourth red stripe. The 50 stars in the blue union represent the number of states. The stars are arranged, with one point up, in nine horizontal rows.
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
T
Dear Neighbor,
As we inch closer to a special session, hopefully to be called by the Governor soon, I wanted to share a few thoughts on taxes and the budget with you.
At a time when our economy is still fragile and we are trying to create jobs, it’s key to provide incentives for our job creators.
Job providers know the challenges a fragile economy can bring and raising income taxes is not going to help create jobs. A key piece of the budget that was passed by the legislature in the 2011 session, but vetoed by Governor Dayton, would give Minnesotans tax reductions of $203 million and tax relief of $30 million in homeowner property tax refunds. It would also reduce the statewide small-business property tax by $50 million in FY 2012-13 and $120 million in FY 2014-15. And to encourage economic growth and job expansion, the bill included a $34.8 million expansion of the research and development tax credit and an initial reduction and later phase-out of the statewide business property tax.
Minnesota’s highest current income tax rate is 7.85% and Governor Dayton would like to see that skyrocket to 10.95% the third highest in the nation.
Below are portions of an editorial in the Star Tribune from Doug Baker, CEO of Ecolab. He agrees that raising taxes is not good for business and would make Minnesota an unattractive place to do business.
Quite simply, our high personal income taxes are already a barrier to attracting and sometimes to keeping top talent. Following Gov. Mark Dayton and enacting the second-highest tax rate in the nation would hurt our state.
This is especially true today when state and national borders no longer constrain the movement of labor, capital and intellectual property. In this digital age, people can and do work from anywhere -- and they can and will choose to work where they can keep more of their income.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, Minnesota employment growth has lagged the U.S. rate for a decade. More than 1,200 small and medium-sized businesses left the state from 1997 to 2008.
To read the full editorial click here http://www.startribune.com/opinion/otherviews/123660569.html
Raising taxes is clearly not good for business and not good for our job creators. We need to grow Minnesota by allowing taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned money--which will go a long way in doing that.
Isn’t a 6 percent increase in revenue enough? That is how much the legislature did pass in the budget Governor Dayton vetoed.
If you have any legislative questions please don’t hesitate to contact my office, we are more than happy to help.
Sincerely,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
Dear Neighbor,
The Republican legislature has now offered Governor Dayton a balanced budget and two compromises, and what has the governor done? Remain entrenched to tax the people of Minnesota. We have yet to see a complete, detailed budget from the Governor.
We presented the governor with a balanced budget that increases funding for Education and Health and Human Services. We passed legislation that would increase basic revenue by $20 per student in the first year and $21 in the second year. The Governor had proposed a zero increase in both years. In the Health and Human Services budget we passed an overall increase in funding for nursing homes of $57 million, and the Governor’s budget provides for an increase to nursing facilities of only $11.7 million.
We had hopes that the Governor and his commissioners would want to meet with us after we finalized our budget proposal to work out the differences, and the Governor could then sign a budget that was compromised upon. Instead, neither he nor his commissioners showed up for meetings and he vetoed the budget at the last minute. A special session, let alone a government shutdown, could have been prevented.
We have since offered to compromise on two different levels. The first in that we would meet the governor on his spending levels for the courts, education and public safety. That makes up almost 50 percent of the budget that we completely agree on at this point. The second compromise was just late last week, when we offered to take out our tax relief for companies and individuals in hopes that the Governor would drop his tax increase demands on nursing homes, hospitals, and on income.
As we wait for the Governor to make a decision about our compromises with him, we also wait for him to send us a compromise. The ball is in his court.
Take a moment to check out the KSTP debate where Governor Dayton says that he will not shut government down over a tax increase.
http://kstp.com/article/stories/S1806009.shtml?cat=1
Yet Governor Dayton is now doing the exact opposite. He’s intent on shutting down the state government unless he can tax income and impose new fees on hospital patients and nursing home residents under his tax proposal.
As late as Wednesday, June 22, the Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers, suggested that he, along with the Governor and the Senate Majority Leader, lock themselves in a room for 48 hours and hash a deal out or at least give it their all. That gathering is taking place today and tomorrow.
I say Governor, time is fleeting. It’s time for statesmanship and leadership. Remind yourself what you told the voters last October about not shutting government down just to raise taxes and find other ways to resolve this impasse. A shutdown doesn’t have to happen unless you want it.
I will continue to work hard on your behalf. If you have any legislative questions please don’t hesitate to contact my office. We are more than happy to help.
Sincerely,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News From Representative Westrom
I was in St. Paul on Thursday in hopes that Governor Dayton would reach a compromise with Legislative leaders on the state budget to avert a state shutdown. That did not happen, much to our disappointment.
The Republican leaders offered Governor Dayton a 'lights on' proposal, for 10 days, so the state did not need to shut down, but Governor Dayton intent on a shutdown, flat out rejected that proposal in the last hours. The Legislature passed a balanced budget in May that increased current spending by $2 billion, with a total of $34 billion, a 6% increase in spending this year. The 34.2 billion dollar budget we passed was the largest in the history of Minnesota, and still it’s not enough for Governor Dayton. Right now projected growth for the state is set to increase by nearly 30-percent. That is unsustainable and not realistic. A 6-percent increase should be enough; we cannot spend more than we have in the checkbook.
Governor Dayton must call a special session in order for the legislature to pass a final bill. Governor Dayton is the only man in Minnesota that could have avoided a government shutdown and is the only man that can call a Special Session. It is vital that he call us back soon, in order to put over 24,000 Minnesotans back to work, and re-open our state parks as well as other programs and services that are provided to residents.
Below is a list of services that will remain open and some that will close because of the government shutdown.
BUSINESS PERMITTING
State agencies stop processing business permits or registering new enterprises. No tax refunds would be issued.
CITIES/COUNTIES
Local Government Aid payments continue.
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
The University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities remain open and have enough funding to operate for the next few months.
COURTS
Open.
DRIVER AND VEHICLE SERVICES
Offices closed and no driver tests available, but you may renew license plates and licenses at city and county offices.
EDUCATION
Public schools are deemed a core service (state payments are not specifically mentioned in court order).
HEALTH
Health Dept. staff could respond to a disease outbreak, operate the Poison Control Center and conduct limited food inspections. Medicaid, MFIP, General Assistance, MN Supplemental aid, Group Residential Housing, MN Care, Food Support, Food Assistance, Adoption Assistance continue.
HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Nursing Homes, residential academies, state hospitals remain open.
HIGHWAY REST STOPS
Closed.
HISTORICAL SITES, MUSEUMS
The Minnesota Historical Society's 26 historic sites and museums close.
HUMAN SERVICES
Food stamps and welfare benefits continue.
HUNTING, FISHING LICENSES
Will not be issued. DNR officers continue enforcement.
JOB TRAINING CENTERS
Closed.
LOTTERY
Closed.
MILITARY
The Department of Veterans Affairs will keep veterans homes open, along with critical assistance programs and the state Veterans Cemetery. Tuition reimbursement claims stop and veterans' outreach claims offices close. Camp Ripley will keep support staff for scheduled military training. Guard members training for deployments are on federal active-duty status and will not be affected.
MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT & BUDGET
Minimal employees needed to maintain employee insurance, payroll, HR management and other budget functions continue.
POLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
Will respond to environmental emergencies, maintain safety and health-related equipment at certain closed landfills and other cleanup sites, and would notify citizens of an air quality alert.
PUBLIC SAFETY
State Patrol, crime labs, Homeland Security, stay open. Most prison employees retained.
RACE TRACKS
Canterbury Park and Running Aces will not be allowed to run races.
SCIENCE MUSEUM
The Science Museum of Minnesota remains open.
STATE PARKS
Closed. Campers with reservations between Thursday and July 14 can cancel them beginning at 8 a.m. Monday and avoid standard cancellation fees. To do so, they should call 1-866-857-2757.
STILLWATER LIFT BRIDGE
Closed to vehicle traffic, unless an appeal by legislative leaders is approved.
TAXES
Revenue tax processing continues. No refund checks issued. Tax court closed.
TRANSPORTATION
Most state-funded road construction projects stop (an estimated 200), except for emergency repairs. The Metropolitan Council can use its reserves to keep buses and rail lines operating for at least a month. The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, which operates many south-metro bus lines, plans to keep buses rolling with reserve funds for up to 60 days.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Unemployment claims, benefit payments, and collections continue.
WORKERS
Workers comp claims and benefits activities processed. Workers comp appeals court closed.
ZOOS
Minnesota Zoo is closed. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory stays open.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July.
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News From Representative Westrom
On Thursday Governor Dayton conceded to end the government shutdown and decided to accept a proposal laid out by legislators on June 30th. More importantly the Governor dropped his call for a tax increase, allowing Minnesotans to keep more of the hard earned money.
We are spending what is in the checkbook, by balancing the general fund budget with $34 billion. This is a fiscally responsible budget and ends the government shutdown, opening rest-stops, state parks and will get road construction projects moving again and putting 23,000 Minnesotans back to work.
As the governor and key legislators continue to meet in order to work out the details, it is my hope a special session will be call early next week. I will keep you informed as to what is happening next week.
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
Torrey Westrom (11A) - Email Newsletter
News From Representative Westrom
Governor Dayton called a special session yesterday that will officially end the government shutdown. Last week it started with Governor Dayton finally giving up on his insistence to raise taxes on Minnesotans. He ended up accepting virtually the same deal that legislators offered him on June 30, 2011 which would have avoided the shutdown from ever happening.
Although this has not ended the way many had hoped it is better than prolonging a government shutdown. Fiscal restraint and many reforms are included in the final budget bills and we are beginning to finally reform government spending. The budget that will eliminate the deficit and spends only what we have in the checkbook and that is $34 billion.
With new reforms in these bills, government is slowly starting to become more efficient. Is it going to be perfect? No. But are we on our way to spending more wisely and using Minnesota tax payer dollars better? Yes. Through these bills and the spending restraint contained in them, government will become more efficient at serving the people of Minnesota and the dollars we use to fund government programs will go further.
It was time to end this shutdown and re‑-open state parks, sell fishing licenses again and putting thousands of Minnesotans back to work.
We look forward to returning next year and continuing to reform the way government operates. I am glad we were able to work out some major differences with Governor Dayton to end this shutdown.
Continue to enjoy your Minnesota summer—after all, we wait all winter for this heat! Remember the www.exploreminnesota.com website can help with your plans.
The final budget bills can be reviewed on the MN House website: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/ss2011/
Warmest Regards,
Torrey
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