Dayton outlines session priorities
DFL Gov. Mark Dayton is gearing up for Tuesday’s start of the 2014 legislative session, even though he’s still at home recovering from recent hip surgery.
Dayton was scheduled to meet privately today with House Speaker Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook. Speaking on the phone from the governor's residence, he said he planned to share his hope for a constructive session that would result in a minimum wage increase, tax cuts and a “healthy” bonding bill.
Dayton is waiting for Friday’s release of a new economic forecast to see if there’s still a projected budget surplus.
“My first priority in terms of a surplus is to give over half of it back in tax reductions for middle income families and for businesses,” Dayton said.
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Dayton said he will have a supplemental budget proposal soon that includes additional funding to help low income families with school lunches and with the cost of propane heating.
On the minimum wage, Dayton said he favors the hourly rate of $9.50 that House Democrats passed last session. The Senate passed a $7.75 measure. He said he believes the higher rate would would help workers and businesses.
"Economic experts tell us that low-to-middle income people, when they have an income increase, spend that money almost immediately on basic necessities, goods and services they hadn't been able to afford up until now. So those dollars go right back into local and state and national economies."
Dayton said he would also continue his pitch for what he calls an “un-session,” that would include measures to streamline government and get rid of old, unnecessary laws.
Here’s what the governor had to say on some other issues:
Anti-bullying legislation
“We just ought to lay down the law that (bullying) is not acceptable here in Minnesota, and then start applying that law in ways that we can teach young people, and adults too, a better way of being together.”
Bonding bill
“It’s really putting your head in the sand to ignore what’s out there that needs to be done and do nothing about it at a time when the economic factors are favorable.”
MNsure
“I’m not aware of it needing any supplemental budget. It has the funding -- federal funding and from the clients using the service -- to carry it into fiscal ’16, which means any issues there should be addressed in the 2015 legislative session.”
Senate Office Building
“I think the building is needed, but it’s too expensive and too extravagant.”