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April
3,
2017
Dear
friends,
We
have
reached
the
final
committee
deadline!
The
Senate
has
been
working
tirelessly
to
finalize
major
budget
bills
and
get
them
passed
through
the
Finance
Committee
by
the
end
of
last
week.
We
have
passed
seven
omnibus
bills
that
will
shape
the
budget
for
the
next
two
years:
Higher
Education,
Environment,
State
Government,
Jobs,
Judiciary,
Agriculture,
and
Transportation.
This
week,
I
have
detailed
three
–
Jobs,
Environment,
and
State
Government.
Read
along
to
learn
how
Senate
Republican
budget
plans
will
advance
Minnesota
to
a
better
future.
A
Pro-Growth
Jobs
Plan
to
Advance
the
Economy
Senate
Republicans
are
advancing
Minnesota’s
economy
with
a
pro-growth
jobs
plan.
We
are
emphasizing
private-public
partnerships
proven
to
boost
jobs
and
opportunity
across
the
state,
especially
in
Greater
Minnesota.
The
plan
provides
support
for
the
Minnesota
Investment
Fund,
Job
Creation
Fund,
Redevelopment
Grant
Program,
and
other
partnerships
to
promote
economic
development
and
prosperity.
It
also
helps
our
rural
Minnesota
by
providing
$20
million
for
broadband
infrastructure
development
in
completely
unserved
areas.
Keeping
the
Environment
Safe
&
Clean
Senate
Republicans
have
largely
kept
the
overall
environment
budget
intact,
but
we
eliminated
funding
overlaps
and
wasteful
spending
to
concentrate
resources
toward
programs
that
help
keep
Minnesota
safe
and
clean.
By
consolidating
funding,
we
are
freeing
up
$90
million
in
the
General
Fund.
That
allows
the
state
to
invest
in
other
priorities,
like
education,
health
care,
or
tax
relief.
If
you
ever
tried
to
get
a
permit
from
the
Minnesota
Pollution
Control
Agency,
you
may
know
it
is
a
lengthy
process
fraught
with
uncertainty.
Provisions
in
this
bill
will
expedite
the
permit
process,
so
businesses
don’t
have
to
stall
economic
development
projects
waiting
for
a
permit
from
the
PCA.
Other
reforms
are
aimed
at
reducing
agency
overreach
and
streamlining
environmental
regulations
to
be
more
business-friendly.
I
am
fortunate
to
have
a
bill
I
have
chief
authored
be
included
in
the
final
environment
omnibus
bill.
Senate
File
1215
provides
a
one-time
investment
to
repair
the
infrastructure
of
manufactured
housing
communities,
which
are
now
beginning
to
show
their
age.
These
resources
will
preserve
affordable
housing
options
for
Minnesotans
and
enhance
the
livelihood
of
the
families
that
reside
in
these
communities.
A
Responsible,
Sustainable
State
Government
 Our
bureaucracy
has
grown
too
big,
too
wasteful,
and
too
powerful.
State
agencies
haven’t
received
budget
cuts
since
2011,
despite
technological
advancements
that
enable
them
to
downsize.
That
will
change
with
new
leadership.
Senate
Republicans
are
committed
to
making
government
more
efficient,
transparent,
and
accountable
to
the
public.
Our
omnibus
state
government
bill
cuts
the
bureaucracy
by
3.6%,
with
spending
$29
million
less
than
projected
in
the
next
biennium.
It
reduces
the
State
Auditor’s
budget
by
7.5%
but
also
maintains
funding
for
veterans
and
military
affairs
and
invests
in
critical
areas
like
cyber
security,
election
equipment,
and
Amber
Alert
system
upgrades.
Finally,
it
will
increase
transparency
with
more
legislative
oversight
and
opportunities
for
public
influence.
This
budget
gives
state
agencies
the
push
they
need
to
be
more
efficient,
balance
their
budgets,
and
do
more
with
less.
And
in
return,
more
power
goes
to
the
public
and
the
government
is
better
fit
to
adapt
to
changing
needs
and
future
challenges.
Thanks
for
reading
this
legislative
update!
Next
week
I’ll
talk
more
about
the
omnibus
bill
Senate
Republicans
have
passed,
along
with
some
information
on
what
to
expect
from
the
Capitol
next!
Sincerely,
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