With fewer than six weeks to adjournment of the 2016 session, the House Republican majority released their budget targets the first week of April. Spending targets are established for each budget area and set the tone for the House Majority’s priorities.

With a nearly $900 million surplus remaining from last year, there is still room to invest in new, emerging and previously recognized priorities. We all agree that the 45 percent of Minnesotans living in Greater Minnesota need a boost with more attention and resources provided to these regions. But to date, the rhetoric doesn’t match the reality. The 2015 session ended without a transportation nor tax plan, three vetoed omnibus bills and a necessary special session to finish the work. The 2016 House budget targets do nothing to support, nor advance Greater Minnesota.

Minnesota’s economy is strong and as it continues to grow, we as a Legislature should continue to make solid investments. As an example, the Republican plan to not use any of the budget surplus to additionally support early education through college education once again puts our rural schools at a disadvantage.

The House Majority continues to dismiss the need to expand rural broadband, which is especially essential for schools. Of the education budget “savings” we have from last year, a measly $7 million will be dedicated to broadband funding for schools and students in underserved areas of the state. This will create a wider digital divide in Greater Minnesota and force legislators to pick winners and losers when there is an opportunity to provide much needed statewide funding to rural districts.

Another area of concern includes cutting the agriculture budget while re-shifting previously designated dollars to respond to and prevent the spread of avian flu. Although I support where the funds are going and recognize that new priorities (farm safety and buying equipment and supporting research to identify previously undetected disease) can supercede previously identified priorities, I am concerned about redirecting dollars that last year were so highly sought and crucially important. The nearly $2 million cut to the agriculture budget and re-shifting of dollars, raises a caution of our ability to respond expediently and without politicization.

The low target numbers make it difficult to see how there will be a significant tax bill, a comprehensive transportation funding bill, and/or a robust bonding bill. It is hard to see the end in sight and unclear how the House bills with such low targets will match up with the Senate bills. If Leadership within the two bodies cannot come to agreement about the spending target amounts for supplemental bills, and/or they cannot come to target agreement on the tax and transportation bills, we may be at an impasse that will not be resolved this year.

I invite you to share with me your thoughts on the state budget or any other issue of interest or concern. I can be reached at 651-296-4193 or 888-682-3180. You can also contact me at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn.