House, Senate Overwhelmingly Reject 'Dayton Tax Plan'

State Rep Keith Downey (R-Edina) said Republican lawmakers are well on their way to releasing their own budget proposal, with a target of having it out of the Finance Committee by March 24.

That's six weeks earlier than the previous legislature managed, a fact Downey is quick to point out.

"All I can do is compare my first term and this term," Downey said. "From a process standpoint we've said we're going to get right down to business and that's exactly what we've done. I think people have a real intolerance right now for messing around."

DLF colleagues in both the Senate and House accused Republican legislators of doing that very thing, when a bill placing Gov. Mark Dayton's proposed tax plan for fiscal year 2012-13 came up for debate at the Capitol last week.

House Minority Leader Paul Thissen (DLF-Minneapolis) called on Republicans to submit their own budget rather than subject everyone to "political theater."

"(It's) like a magician snapping his fingers over here when he's trying to steal your watch over there," Thissen said.

Downey was among numerous lawmakers to weigh in on the House version of that bill, saying it was no different from when DFL legislators " ran around the state of Minnesota bashing Gov. Pawlenty's budget for two months before setting their own targets."

"We've been hearing components of his budget proposal in committee for a few weeks, so we wanted to bring the core of the proposal to the House and Senate floors to confirm our collective lack of interest in (it)," Downey said.

The bill failed by a vote of 131-0 in the House and a nearly unanimous 62-1 in the Senate.

Deputy Senate Majority Leader Geoff Michel (R-Edina) presented the Senate version of the bill, saying after nine weeks of the current session he wanted to get a clear sense of the Senate's position on Dayton's tax plan.

"I'm offering it, but I will oppose this amendment," Michel said. "I think it's important we have a little bit of discussion on the Senate floor."

Michel said the Senate could no longer wait for the details of the bill to come from the governor, saying he wanted to at least "start discussions" to get the budget process moving forward.

Here’s a rundown of other bills authored or co-authored by your legislators this past week:

Rep. Keith Downey (R-Edina):

• Co-authored a bill modifying state wage and hour provisions. HF0722, introduced Feb. 28.

• Co-authored a bill modifying the capital project referendum ballot language in cases where the same level of taxing authority is renewed. HF0731, introduced Feb. 28.

• Co-authored a bill creating a 19-member Autism Spectrum Disorder Task Force to focus on improving awareness, early diagnosis, intervention and ensuring delivery of treatment and services for individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. HF0745, introduced Feb. 28.

• Co-authored a bill requiring Department of Human Services to issue a request for proposals for an integrated online eligibility and application portal for food support, cash assistance, child care, and health care programs. HF0746, introduced Feb. 28.

• Co-authored a bill providing a factor for determining the amount of attorney fees awarded in certain civil actions. HF0747, introduced Feb. 28.

• Authored a bill establishing a pilot project to examine how school districts might operate jointly to provide innovative delivery of programs and activities and share resources. HF0755, introduced Feb. 28.

• Co-authored a bill specifying components of a state employee performance appraisal and bonus pay system. HF0756, introduced Feb. 28.

• Authored a bill governing occupational licensure, stating a right to engage in an occupation and specifying conditions for government regulation of occupations. HF0779, introduced March 3.

• Co-authored a bill modifying aid admittance valve building code requirements to create jobs through innovative technology. HF0837, introduced March 3.

• Co-authored a bill authorizing the commissioner of revenue to enter into a reciprocal agreement with the federal government for collection of unpaid debts. HF0864, introduced March 3.

Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina): 

• Co-authored a bill allowing a capital equipment sales tax exemption at the time of purchase. SF0480, introduced Feb. 28.

• Co-authored a bill modifying overtime requirements for certain air carrier employees. SF0488, introduced Feb. 28.

• Co-authored a bill removing the expiration date on the state's swimming pond health rule exemption. SF0491, introduced Feb. 28.

• Co-authored a bill appropriating grant funding for the BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota, aimed at promoting and positioning the state as a global leader in bioscience business activities. SF0501, introduced Feb. 28.

• Co-authored a bill requiring state agencies to track and report on the number of jobs created or retained as a result of capital project funding. SF0535, introduced March 3.

Rep. Pat Mazorol (R-Bloomington):

• Authored a bill establishing the Fairness for Responsible Drivers Act, limiting certain remedies of uninsured motorists and increasing the amount of certain criminal fines. HF0730, introduced Feb. 28.

• Co-authored a bill creating a 19-member Autism Spectrum Disorder Task Force to focus on improving awareness, early diagnosis, intervention and ensuring delivery of treatment and services for individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. HF0745, introduced Feb. 28.

• Authored a bill providing a factor for determining the amount of attorney fees awarded in certain civil actions. HF0747, introduced Feb. 28.

• Authored a bill allowing for the creation of a trust to provide care to an animal. HF0748, introduced Feb. 28.

• Authored a bill regulating interest on verdicts, awards and judgments related to civil actions. HF0770, introduced Feb. 28.