2003-01-22 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Jan 17 28B3 15:25:43 Via Fax -} .........1\. ~ "\" LMC 651 429 8629 Adroinistrator Page BOl Of OBl -FridayFax- A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cilies Lli\~I,iIIU,',{ i\l;,rl't\:KltlJ (''iI/CJ (""iJ.i,.... '~riJIII/!Uly!1 If,'tilvJfllm'll Week Two: Pace Quickens and the Plot Thickens The second week of the 2003 legislative session will end today with the Senate completing their work on their alternative response to Governor Pawle:nty's emergency supplemental budget. Only 17 weeks to go- before the end of the regular session and what man y believe might be a special legislative session to finish the legislature's budget balancing work. Pawlenty's proposal, released on Tuesday, shaved $468 million in state spending-enough to cover the estimated short-term $356 million deficit and set aside $112 million in case the state's revenues falter even more before the end of the current fiscal year on June 30, 2003. Fiscal staff show that $24 million is the current budget reserve. Relative to the governor's proposal, the Senate plan restores funding for several programs including CrimNet local planning, the 21 sl century minerals fund, the ethanol production subsidy, Clean Water Partnership grants, and several other grant programs. Most of the Senate's cuts take place in the areas of Health, Human Services and Corrections departments. In regards to a reserve, the Senate's plan would add $28 million to a current $24 million. The House plan will be unveiled next week and will receive almost immediate committee action. Committee chairs pledged to take up their proposal and vote it out of commiltees on Tuesday. The Senate's budget balancing proposal passed out of Senate Finance committee today, and is likely to be taken up at their floor session, which is scheduled for next Thursday. January 17,2003 Its clear from observing caucus's activit y in both bodies there is definite momentum to get the short-term budget deficit taken care of so time and attention can be focused on the larger '04-05 problem of $4.2 billion. Once the House and Senate pass their respective bills this coming week, there will be a conference committee to hammer out a negotiation. The media has reported that the Governor will give the legislature until early February before he uses his authorit y to unallot. Other Legislative News Former Sen. Gene Merriam was named Department of Natural Resources Commissioner today with current Rep. Mark Holsten (R-Stillwater) being named deput y DNR Commissioner. With Holsten's resignation will come a special election for 52B. Commissioner-designate Sheryl Corrigan will name a new Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Deputy Commissioner next week. Committee hearings next week will concentrate on departmental overviews and tours of agencies and programs. For a full schedule go to the legislative website at www.l.i.stp.tC.LlJllll J.I~. Legislative Conference draws more than 250 city officials ~ On Wednesday, attendees of the League's legislative conference heard from key legislative leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Hottinger and House Ways and Means Chair Jim Knoblach. In addition, Finance Commissioner, Dan McElroy briefed cities on Governor Pawlenty's emergency budget and priorities for the administration. For more [nformalion on cily le&i~lalive issues. contacl any member of Ihe Lea&ue of Minnesota Cilieslnlel&oVernlrnlnlal Relalions learn. 651.281.1200 ar 800.925.1122