NEWS RELEASE -- Rep. Al Juhnke's Capitol Update for April
Capitol Update -- A report from State Representative Al Juhnke -- April 2003
Dear Friends,
The budget debate is entering its final phase as all parties have their plans on the table. Now we enter a phase of negotiations leading to the May 19 adjournment deadline. Please take a moment to review this report, and as always, feel free to send me your thoughts.
Warmest Regards,
Al Juhnke
How to reach Al Juhnke
Capitol: 281 State Office Bldg., St. Paul, MN 55155; (651) 296-6206
Home: 3951 Horizon Hills Circle, Willmar, MN 56201; (320) 235-4442
E-Mail: rep.al.juhnke@house.mn
Web: www.house.mn/13b
Ethanol, senior funds restored by House DFL
Budget plan also cuts taxes
Ethanol producers, senior citizens and college and public school students would continue to see strong state support under a budget plan crafted by House Democrats, according to Rep. Al Juhnke.
'This is the most innovative, fair and balanced budget proposal on the table,' Juhnke said. 'It's the only one that truly protects education and seniors. It's the only one that minimizes the pain to Rural Minnesota. And its most unique feature is that it actually reduces the tax burden for virtually all Minnesota households.'
Key elements of the plan include:
* Education funding at all levels from pre-school through college is held harmless. All of the cuts proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty are avoided - and so are the increases in local school property taxes and college tuition that would have followed those cuts.
* Cuts in senior programs like Meals on Wheels and nursing home funding are fully restored.
* Cuts in ethanol support are reduce to 5 percent - a penny a gallon, compared to the 50 percent, 10-cent cut sought by Gov. Pawlenty. The plan also reduces cuts to other farm programs.
* Cuts in aid to cities and counties are reduced to a minimal 5 percent, compared to the more than 20 percent cut sought by the Governor. That level of cut can be absorbed in local budgets without forcing phenomenal city and county property tax increases.
* Recovering income tax revenue from individuals making more than $250,000 a year and households with incomes of more than $500,000 a year. And by lowering income tax rates to ensure households at all levels on the economic ladder pay an equal share, this plan also creates an income tax cut for virtually all Minnesota taxpayers. The tax changes will 'blink off' when the budget deficit is covered.
Two Juhnke bills help promote family dairy farms
Two bills to help Minnesota's family dairy producers increase the quantity and quality of milk produced in the state have been introduced by Rep. Juhnke.
The measures are a workable alternative to the highly controversial plan to repeal the state's ban on foreign farmland ownership and allow foreign-owned corporate dairies enter Minnesota.
'Why should we allow people to turn Minnesota into an economic colony, using our resources and people and shipping the profits out of the country?' Juhnke asked.
The two bills would establish:
* An income tax credit for farmers who improve the quality of their herds and milk. The 'Quality Milk Credit' of 5 cents per hundredweight of raw milk (about 11 gallons) would go to farmers whose milk has somatic cells counts of less than 150,000 and maintain an average production of 21,000 pounds or more.
* A revolving no-interest loan program to enable family dairy farmers to add up to six cows to their herds. Statewide, that would add about 36,000 cows - roughly the same number that would come in by allowing foreign corporate dairies to enter the state.
'These would position Minnesota's dairy producers to take advantage of a rebounding economy and rebounding milk prices,' Juhnke said. 'It would give our producers a financial shot in the arm and ensure our dairy processors a stronger supply of high-quality milk.'
Resolution supports our troops
As the U.S. went to war in Iraq, Rep. Juhnke and other members of the House DFL Caucus passed a formal House Resolution expressing support for our armed forces and their families.
'We wanted our troops to know they have the support and appreciation of folks back home,' said Juhnke. 'The courage and sacrifice of servicemen and women deserve our respect and gratitude.'
Bill cuts MnDOT costs
Rep. Juhnke is authoring a bill to force the Department of Transportation to cut administrative spending by $40 million and use the funding to support road maintenance and improvement.
'We have to make sure taxpayers get their money's worth and get this agency back on track,' Juhnke said The bill would:
* Bar MnDOT from giving employees cell phones or providing a car to the commissioner and her assistants.
* Bar out-of-state travel or any in-state expenses for meetings not organized by MnDOT itself.
* Require MnDOT to cut spending on administration, computer, research and equipment and facilities by a total of $40 million.
Health insurance costs skyrocket
Working people earning less than $1,000 a month could pay as much as $600 a month for MinnesotaCare health insurance under proposals by Gov. Pawlenty. The Dept. of Health predicts 50,000 people would be uninsured under the Governor's proposals.
For example, a single working parent with two children who makes $15 an hour now qualifies for MinnesotaCare at a monthly premium of $154. Under the Governor's plan, the premium jumps to $402.
'No tax hike' budget boosts fees
While Gov. Pawlenty talks about not raising taxes to cover the state's budget shortfall, his budget plan raises a host of fees by at least $458 million.
'Call it a fee or call it a tax, it's money out of your pocket,' Rep. Juhnke said. 'Every Minnesotan will pay more to camp in state parks, get a new vehicle title or ride a bus. And many of these fee/tax hikes will hit our most vulnerable citizens.'
