Local Legislators Defend Governor's Proposed Budget

While Gov. Mark Dayton's $37 billion state budget proposal has come under much scrutiny, local legislators Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL) and Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL) say nothing in the proposal comes as a surprise.

“Listening to Dayton during the campaign, I was not at all surprised by the direction he’s going. He indicated he wanted to use a balanced approach,” Carlson said.

Winkler says he’s glad the Governor didn’t cut any state aid in the budget.

“It is important to note that under Dayton’s plan, 95 percent of Minnesotans will not pay any more in taxes, which includes property taxes,” Winkler said.

While most Minnesotans pay roughly 12 percent  of their state and local combined income in taxes, Carlson said, the top 5 percent of income-earners only 9 percent in state and local taxes

"So there is a fairness question under current tax policy,” he said. The Ways and Means Committee, in which Carlson is the ranking democrat, meets Monday morning to discuss the proposal.

The February budget forecast will be unveiled Feb. 28. Both representatives say they would like to hear from their constituents on their thoughts about the budget.

Here’s a look at the bills authored or co-authored by Golden Valley-area legislators this past week:

Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL - District 44B)

• Co-authored a bill amending Minnesota statutes by changing certain voter registration requirements. HF510 was introduced on February 14 and has been referred to the Government Operations and Elections Committee.
• Co-authored a bill amending Minnesota Statutes that would change certain election registration requirements and provisions. HF598 was introduced on February 17 and has been referred to the Government Operations and Elections Committee.

Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL - District 45B)

• Co-authored a bill amending Minnesota Statutes in an act relating to education funding; authorizing funding for voluntary and full-day kindergarten. HF488 was introduced on February 14 and has been referred to the Education Reform Committee.
• Co-authored a bill proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statues relating to state government; providing that certain appropriations continue in effect with certain exceptions and adjustments. HF568 was introduced on February 17 and has been referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Elections

Sen. Ron Latz (DFL - District 44)

• Proposed a bill amending Minnesota Statutes relating to alcohol; allowing sales of specific clothing and memorabilia by an exclusive liquor store. SF323 was introduced on February 14 and has been referred to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.
• Proposed a bill relating to capital investment; reauthorizing money to install and construct noise mitigation barriers on freight rail lines and authorizing the sale and issuance of state bonds. SF407 was introduced on February 21 and has been referred to the Capital Investment Committee.
• Co-authored a bill amending Minnesota Statutes relating to evidence; limiting the availability of certain evidence arising from a collaborative law process. SF217 was introduced on February 17 and has been referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
• Co-authored a bill amending Minnesota Statues relating to public safety; providing for a 36-month presumptive executed sentence for certain repeat sex offenders.  SF415 was introduced on February 21 and has been referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

Sen. Ann H. Rest (DFL - District 45)  

• Proposed a bill amending Minnesota Statutes relating to taxation; authorizing use of pooled tax increments for development market rate housing at certain locations. SF284 was introduced on February 10 and has been referred to the Taxes Committee.
• Proposed a bill amending Minnesota Statutes relating to traffic regulations, expanding requirement of display of a vehicle. SF335 was introduced on February 17 and has been referred to the Transportation Committee.
• Co-authored a bill amending Minnesota Statutes relating to motor vehicles; authorizing alternative site for keeping motor vehicle dealer records, modifying provision related to motor vehicle registration and adding provision relating to treatment of vehicle history information.  SF341 was introduced on February 17 and has been referred to the Transportation Committee.
• Co-authored a bill amending Minnesota Statutes relating to commerce; regulating building and construction contracts and indemnification agreements and defining professional services contract. SF387 was introduced on February 21 and has been referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
• Co-authored a bill amending Minnesota Statutes and proposing coding for new laws relating to occupational licensure; stating a right to engage in an occupation and specifying conditions for government regulation of occupations. SF380 was introduced on February 21 and has been referred to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.
• Co-authored a bill amending Minnesota Statutes relating to taxation; conforming to federal tax treatment. SF379 was introduced on February 21 and has been referred to the Taxes Committee.