ST. PAUL, Minn. – When the Minnesota State Legislature convened on January 8 the newly elected DFL majority took over the leadership of both the Senate and the House. This coupled together with DFL Governor Mark Dayton has given the party complete control for the first time in 22 years. Republicans, who had control of both the House and Senate previous two years, believe that they left the state in a good place financially but Democrats are looking to put their own stamp on the state budget.
“We walked into a $6 billion deficit two years ago and have almost a $3 billion surplus now,” said Representative Tim Sanders (R) of District 37B.
“It’s called a surplus but it’s really not,” commented Representative Jerry Newton (DFL) of District 37A, “It is the amount of money anticipated to be received over and above what we expected, some is owed back to the school shifts.”
Related to the state economy is the debate of the possibility of raising the state minimum wage. Minnesota’s minimum wage currently sits at $6.15 an hour, although that rate is trumped in most circumstances by the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Governor Dayton has indicated he wants to see Minnesota’s minimum wage rise and a number of different bills have been introduced to accomplish that DFL goal.
“We have one of the lowest minimum wage requirements in the nation at $6.15. I’m not supportive of a jump to $10 an hour, but it should be bumped up to a minimum of $7.70 or $7.80 an hour,” mentioned Senator Alice Johnson (DFL) of District 37.
However, Senator Michelle Benson (R) of District 31 does not agree.
“I believe employers can make the decisions about how they pay their employees, it is something that can be negotiated because there are very few families who depend upon the minimum wage for a source of income,” said Senator Benson.
One of the most contentious debates taking place this year in St. Paul is the debate surrounding the legalization of same sex marriage. After the defeat of the marriage amendment by voters in November a bill has been introduced in both the House and Senate to legalize same sex marriage in Minnesota. While there are deep divisions between lawmakers on supporting such a bill, most agree that any such bill should wait until after the budget is passed.
“Bringing up divisive social issues before the governor’s revised budget has come out is an incorrect prioritization of what Minnesota expects us to do,” explained Rep. Sanders.
“I’m more concerned initially with balancing this budget and getting the money where it should be, in education and health and human services,” said Rep. Newton, “And then working to create jobs for people.”
Each of the 201 members of the legislature are also busy championing their own bills and our local legislators are no different.
“I’m working on a return on tax payer investment bill that would require programs in the departments of public safety and human services to undergo an analysis outside of the government,” commented Senator Benson, “So we can understand good use of taxpayer dollars”.
Despite the at times vastly differing opinions on role and priorities for state government, both Republicans and Democrats are searching for areas of bipartisanship as they lead.
“I’ve sensed a big difference,” said Rep. Newton, “I’ve established good friendships with the incoming republicans, we’re on a lot of bills together and we seem to be working well together.”
