Seifert: 2009 session off to a ‘slow start’
By Rae KrugerThe 2009 Minnesota legislative session is off to a slow start, said Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, minority leader in the House.
"The session is a month old today and we've only passed one bill," Seifert said. "It's a slow start to the session, but obviously my group is not in charge."
Seifert is disappointed and even somewhat frustrated the Democrat majority party hasn't offered many ideas to help solve the budget deficit.
"The Democrats, so far, have been very quiet as to any solutions," Seifert said. "We're looking for some ideas, but we've already wasted one month of the session."
Seifert said he realizes solutions suggested by Democrats may get criticized, but that's part of the process.
"If they don't like the governor's budget, where's the alternatives?" Seifert said.
"The government reform committee has met once this month," Seifert said. "That committee should be meeting every day."
This session is an ideal one in which to discuss changes to the structure of government with a nearly $5 billion predicted budget deficit, Seifert said.
Democrats have spent time listening to the public and others for ideas, Seifert said.
A bipartisan town hall meeting is planned for Marshall on Feb. 20, he said, but he worries that meeting and others will be more about people asking for their programs not to be cut than with providing ideas.
Some ideas have already been provided, including ways to restructure county government from the Association of Minnesota Counties, he said.
Pawlenty has also used Lincoln, Lyon and Murray County Human Services as an example of how other counties could cooperate, Seifert said.
The expected nearly $5 billion deficit will likely grow when the state's revenue forecast is released later this month, Seifert said.
"It's gonna be worse," Seifert said about the deficit. "I think it will be up to $5 to $6 billion. Some say as high as $7 billion. I think $7 billion is the upper level of things."
Unemployment and other factors are "much worse than in September," Seifert said.
He cited the layoffs at Hutchinson Technology, Target and others.
"People are scared of spending money. Sales tax is down. Motor vehicle tax is down," Seifert said.
If the deficit worsens, legislators should be even more compelled to discuss a variety of short-term and long term solutions, Seifert said.
Republicans have presented an education reform package and Seifert will initiate his welfare reform and another, including moving sex offenders from the Moose Lake facility at $300 per day to a regular prison.
He expects a push back from Democrats on any welfare reform ideas.
While Pawlenty's budget does not cut K-12 funding or nursing home and veteran funding, Seifert worries that could be in danger if the deficit increases.
Pawlenty also proposed tax reductions and some new spending to spur the economy. Those total about $500 million and they could be cut if the deficit grows, Seifert said.
Pawlenty has also earmarked money for an expected federal government stimulus package.
U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., has criticized the stimulus package, and Seifert said that has him concerned.
"We are planning for something coming down...." Seifert said. How much a federal stimulus package affects the state depends on how much flexibility states are given, Seifert said.
States could shift money, for example, if the federal government provides more money for special education, Seifert said.
