Dear Neighbor,
We are coming up on the final full week of the legislative session and the story remains the same: There is a real opportunity to turn the state’s historic surplus into meaningful, permanent tax cuts but House Democrats are looking to spend $21 for every $1 in cuts.
It will be interesting to see what unfolds between now and our May 23 date for adjournment. The state is fully funded for the biennium, so there’s no state shutdown at stake. If no deals are reached, we start over next January with, barring a catastrophe, surplus dollars still on the bottom line.
In the meantime, the House has been taking votes on some other items. For example, the House and Senate both approved legislation supporting our military members. Overall, the veterans and military affairs package that was approved appropriates an additional $2.2 million to the Department of Military Affairs and an additional $52.351 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Features of the bill include more than $10 million for construction cost increases for the three new veterans’ homes in Bemidji, Montevideo, and Preston, and more than $16 million for enhancements and furnishings to these facilities. Veterans and Gold Star families who served post-9/11 will receive a total of $24.8 million post-service bonus payments. The bill also includes funding to address veteran homelessness, money for the State Veterans Cemetery in Redwood Falls, and other veterans related programs.
The original version of the bill approved by House Democrats was a complete mess, but it came back from a conference committee in much better shape, and it was nice to see a clean, stand-alone veterans bill. Our veterans put their life on the line to protect us. The least we can do is provide them with the resources they need after their service concludes.
The bill (S.F. 4233) passed the House 122-1 and cleared the Senate without opposition on votes for final passage. I’m less than optimistic this bill’s commitment to a single subject will bleed into this session’s omnibus packages, but it does serve as a reminder of what can be done if we keep our focus and limit the scope of bills.
Look for more from the Capitol soon. I’m sure I will have plenty to say as things unfold at the end of the session. For now, have a nice weekend and good luck if you are able to get out for the fishing opener.
-Steve