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Health & Fitness

Behind the Scenes at the Capitol

Rep. Joe Atkins gives his constituents a "behind the scenes" look at some issues at the Capitol.

Some topics at the Capitol don't lend themselves to 90-second explanations.  This makes it difficult for TV reporters to try to fully explain them, though most reporters do a darn good job of fitting a ton of information into a small chunk of time.  The other challenge for reporters is that there are some topics that legislators are reticent to discuss, like intra-party disagreements.  Below are a few behind-the-scenes observations that you probably won't see on television.  

1. The 33% Legislative Pay Raise Never Had a Chance.  There won't be a pay raise. Nonetheless, lots of folks still think we voted ourselves a pay raise, or that one is possible.  In reality, only the Minnesota Senate voted for a $10,000/year pay raise.  There is no way I and my colleagues in the Minnesota House would ever support it, which means it won't happen.

2. Most of the New Tax Ideas Are Dead.  Every time I pick up the newspaper, I find another story focusing on another proposed new tax or fee on something.  While a huge number of ideas get announced every year, only a few tax proposals really have any likelihood of happening - see #3 below - and the rest of the parade of proposed new taxes are dead.

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3. The Real Plan on Revenue & Spending.  To pay off the state's $627 million deficit, pay back the remainder of $2 billion borrowed from schools to balance the last state budget, provide some additional funding for E-12 school funding/safety and to freeze college tuition, revenue will likely come from the top 1% of earners who make over $400,000/year and by closing tax loopholes used by foreign-operating corporations.  A higher cigarette tax for health care costs is a good bet, too.  The other notable tax proposals - on clothing, services, and alcohol - seem pretty unlikely at this point.

4. Tax Shifts, Borrowing & Accounting Gimmicks Will Not Be Used.  These gadgets were used to temporarily put a band-aid on the last state budget.  Even though folks like me voted no, these gimmicks had enough votes to pass.  They don't this time around.

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

5. The $346 Million Tax Cut for Small Businesses. With bipartisan support, the Minnesota House last week passed the largest business tax reduction in state history.  As one of the authors of this provision, I am surprised it has gotten such little media attention. I have been appointed to the conference committee charged with working out the details with the Senate.  The proposal would provide $346 million in tax relief to Minnesota businesses, particularly small businesses.  Coming from a surplus in the Unemployment Insurance fund, this targeted tax break cannot be spent by the legislature for other purposes and doesn’t expand our deficit.

6. Rural Vote Key to Several Issues.  Geography, much more than party affiliation, will influence the outcome of debates on a variety of issues like gun control, same-sex marriage, and wolf hunting.  Geographic differences are significant within each party but are challenging for the media folks to figure out, explain and get anyone to talk about.

7. A Stadium Bill.  Don't expect to see a re-do of last year's stadium legislation.  Instead, watch for a surcharge on sports memorabilia and jerseys to continue to plod along as a replacement for underperforming electronic pulltab revenue.  This surcharge was the preferred method of most legislators last year but legislative leadership at the time nixed it. 

8. Jobs.  While it’s true that government doesn’t really create jobs, there are things that the state can do to make it easier for private employers to create jobs.  A few of these things are easy to explain, like the $346 million small business tax break in #5 above.  Most, though, are complicated, like helping community colleges craft courses that better meet employers' immediate real-world needs, and removing government barriers that stand in the way of getting high-speed broadband to all employers.  That's the sort of stuff we're doing this session.

9. Spending Cuts.  Cutting costs in areas like health, human services and insurance aren't getting much attention for some reason, but they are happening. It’s important that we both raise revenue for investments in important areas like education, while also making significant cuts and reforms in other areas to balance the budget now and in the future.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: You're invited to join me for the May Day 5K Walk & Run on Saturday, May 4th.  More info and registration at http://www.invergrove.k12.mn.us/MayDay5K.html.

Joe

PS - A couple friends completed the Boston Marathon last week, mere minutes before the bombs went off.  After learning they were safe and then watching events unfold over the course of the week, I reached the same conclusion about acts of terrorism that I always have in the past: terrorists always cause the opposite effect of what they intended.  Instead of fear, they breed strength.  Instead of division, they bring unity.  Here's an example that'll make you proud - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzMsagY7oRs

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