Saturday, April 29, 2000

State Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin) arrived home Friday afternoon with an almost sheepish look on her face.

The 2000 legislative session was supposed to be a "mini-session" and over by Easter. Instead, it is dragging on with no end seemingly in sight.

That is until Gov. Jesse Ventura sees the Senate’s tri-partisan compromise proposal on state budget spending.

Piper thinks the compromise can work.

"We now have a true tri-partisan compromise on the table: one that allows the governor and the two houses of the Legislature to each decide how to use one-third of the budget dollars available," Piper said.

On Friday morning, Senate Democrats put forward what Piper called a "serious proposal, which will hopefully break the budget stalemate."

The Senate wants to split three ways the available budget funding of $525 million or the agreed-to- figure of $549 million minus top-priority investments in "Katie’s Law" and on-going debt service payments.

Piper said the Senate offer is "an innovative approach" to resolving what has become a prolonged budgeting process between House and Senate leaders and Ventura.

According to Piper, the Senate proposal accepts House budget numbers for one-time spending, including the use of federal dollars made available by welfare reform.

The proposal also makes permanent investments in nursing homes and prescription drug programs of $25 million.

"This proposal also continues the Senate’s commitment to funding our schools," Piper said. "The Senate offer accepts the House numbers for one-time spending on education and retains the Senate promise of ongoing investments in our schools. The total investment in our schools would be more than $300 million."

Piper said she believes the latest Senate offer is good for the communities in southeastern Minnesota.

"The people of southeastern Minnesota tell me they want tax relief," she said. "They also tell me they want to ensure the continued vitality of our rural communities, including continued commitment to quality schools and health care services to seniors.

"The latest Senate proposal reflects those priorities. It also offers House leaders and the governor a unique choice for allocating $125 million of the budget dollars available for their own budget priorities."