Monthly Archives: May 2009

U.S. unemployment at 15.8% according to wider measure

Yesterday, Minnesota Public Radio highlighted a measure of unemployment (called the U-6 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) that gives a more comprehensive picture of unemployment than the more widely reported unemployment rate. It also reveals a bleaker employment outlook … Continue reading

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Governor will unallot to balance the state budget

On Tuesday morning, the day after the legislature adjourned, the Governor held a press conference to announce that he is already in discussions with state commissioners to put together an unallotment plan to bring the state’s budget back into balance for FY 2010-11. … Continue reading

Posted in Action Opportunity, Budget Process, Unallotment | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Legislature passes bill to balance budget with taxes, education shift

The tax conference committee wrapped up their work on Monday night, the last day of the legislative session. The bill includes elements similar to what was in HF 885, the legislature’s previous tax bill that was vetoed by the Governor: … Continue reading

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Session ends at midnight…where do things stand?

The 2009 Legislative Session ends at midnight tonight, but the state’s budget for FY 2010-11 is far from resolved. The Governor and legislators are still engaged in last minute negotiations, but time is short. First, let’s review where we stand: … Continue reading

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Last day of session: what’s left for taxes and local aids?

It’s the afternoon of the last day of the legislative session – a good time to take a quick inventory about what has been finished in terms of tax and local funding issues, and what is still unresolved. The noncontroversial … Continue reading

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Last day of session: what's left for taxes and local aids?

It’s the afternoon of the last day of the legislative session – a good time to take a quick inventory about what has been finished in terms of tax and local funding issues, and what is still unresolved. The noncontroversial … Continue reading

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Legislative budget offer includes shifts, revenues and cuts

Late Saturday night, the Legislature released their budget counter-offer to the Governor, which Speaker Kelliher described as a package proposal. It includes: $1.8 billion from the K-12 education shift, contingent on there being a permanent revenue increase that will allow … Continue reading

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Governor issues offer to close budget deficit through shift, $1 billion in additional cuts

On Saturday afternoon, the Governor presented an alternative way of resolving the remaining differences with the legislature (see it online). There currently remains an approximately $2.7 billion gap to resolve the state’s budget shortfall. The Governor’s offer includes: $1.75 billion … Continue reading

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A critical time in the session to keep the momentum going!

On Monday, over 500 people gathered in the Capitol rotunda to encourage policymakers to make revenue-raising part of a balanced solution to the state’s budget deficit. Organized by Invest in Minnesota, the rally brought together representatives from faith, labor and … Continue reading

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Governor line item vetoes health care for adults

Late on Thursday night, Governor Pawlenty signed the health and human services omnibus bill, but not before using his line item veto power to eliminate $381 million in funding for General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) in FY 2011. This program … Continue reading

Posted in Budget Proposals, Health Care | Tagged , , | 2 Comments