The Wake

The State Legislature, which reconvened February 4, wants to change the way the state budget is balanced. Any bills that increase the deficit will be discarded immediately. Not only are they looking for bills to help solve the state budget, but they are also asking the people of Minnesota for ideas on how to solve the budget crisis.

In a move rarely seen before, the State Legislature will be taking up to six of the best reform and redesign ideas submitted by state residents and put them into a Citizen Redesign Bill that will receive a hearing before a committee of the House of Representatives. This will be a way for the people of Minnesota to have more of a direct impact on what happens with our tax money.

In order to be a part of this change, the state legislature is asking citizens to “pick an area of state or local government and then come up with an idea that will improve the quality of service or increase results while at the same time lowering costs,” according to the state House of Representatives web site.

For Paul Marquart (DFL), state representative for district 9B, reforming the state budget deficit is the “top priority.” This is a good attitude to have considering that Minnesota will be confronting a $1.2 billion budget deficit for this year alone, and a $5.4 billion deficit in the next two-year budget cycle. This budget deficit is expected to cost Minnesota another 70,000 jobs in the coming year. Because of this, our state legislature is hoping to come up with initiatives that will both curb this and put Minnesota back on the right track.

Reform for the legislature will not be easy. There are stacks of reports, dating back more than a decade, of failed redesign efforts that can attest to that. These reports were expected to make government more efficient, but instead took up space on shelves. Marquart, though, believes that this time will be different.

“Now is the time,” Marquart said at a news conference for the Bipartisan Redesign Caucus earlier this year. “I’m confident if we mix ideas with leadership, we’ll have a formula for success.” None of the Republicans on the legislative committee showed up, however, so Marquart was left preaching about bipartisan spirit with only part of his team in attendance.

On the surface, bipartisanship, seems like a good idea. However, earlier this week Republicans attempted to introduce a plan that would reduce corporate income tax in the name of job creation. This is something that, although most DFLers agree should be done, the DFL majority voted it down. Their reasoning for turning it down was unclear, but it will definitely leave the Republicans feeling spited.

Paul Marquart is not unfamiliar with asking the public for help. Three years ago, as a chairman of the House Committee, he asked the public for their thoughts on how best to handle taxes, and received hundreds of replies. The best proposals were sent to the House floor, and one passed.
The redesign caucus will meet on various Tuesdays throughout the legislative session. The first one is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. Feb. 16.

You can submit your ideas through their coment line 651-297-8391 or 800-551-5520 and at www.house.mn/redesign/.