GOP to target Dayton budget at hearing

GOP legislative leaders announced today that they intend to take aim at Governor Dayton's budget at Thursday's Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy meeting. GOP Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch and GOP House Speaker Kurt Zellers sent a letter to MMB Commissioner Jim Schowalter and Revenue Commissioner Myron Frans telling them to be prepared to discuss specifics about Dayton's budget plan.

"We would like information on plants to offset the loss of $1.8 billion in revenue in the Governor's budget due to the recent change in the administration's tax plan. Specifically, be prepared to discuss the legislature's spending reductions the Governor will agree to, or new spending reduction proposals.

On multiple occassions the Governor has indicated an interest in exempting small business from the effects (of) his tax increase plan. We are interested in knowing how this proposal changes revenue estimates for the administration's budget, and what offsets are proposed to allow small businesses to keep more of their hard-earned money."

The meeting is scheduled for 2pm on Thursday. The LCPFP has not met since September, 2010 when Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate. DFL legislative leaders held LCPFP meetings in 2009 and 2010 to point out their budget differences with former Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

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Dayton and GOP legislative leaders are also scheduled to meet privately on Friday morning to discuss the budget.

Here's the letter from Koch and Zellers:

KochZellersLetter