State Rep. Downey: Budget Bill Veto 'Confusing'

Following the speedy veto of a bill that would have cut $1 billion out of the state budget for the upcoming biennium, local lawmakers are now waiting to see what Gov. Mark Dayton has in store.

Republican legislators passed the bill (H.F. 130/S.F. 60) along party lines last week, presenting it to Dayton on Feb. 10. Within hours, he had vetoed the proposed cuts.

State Rep. Keith Downey (R-Edina) was one of three House authors of the rejected bill. By making permanent one-time spending reductions implemented by former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Downey said the bill would have effectively reduced the state deficit by $1 billion without any major changes.

"It was a little confusing," Downey said. "The Governor has repeatedly sent signals to us that he's interested and receptive to all of the work we're doing in the legislature."

"It was a little bit of a shock he vetoed it so quickly," he said.

Dayton called the legislature's approach "piecemeal" in his veto, saying there is "nothing to be gained, and much to be lost" by addressing the projected deficit in "this disjointed manner."

"The legislature is acting with extreme rashness," Dayton said at a press conference following his first veto as governor.

Dayton is expected to submit his own budget on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

Downey said the only way to balance the budget will be through spending reductions, saying any budget talk is on hold until Dayton issues his own plan.

"He's promised to raise taxes on the rich, so I think he feels he has to come through on that," Downey said. "More spending, more borrowing, more deficits and more government — that's what I expect to see."

Rep. Keith Downey (R-Edina):

• Co-authored a bill requiring information to determine return on investment for capital requests. HF0369, introduced Feb. 7.

• Authored a bill proposing the Back Office Consolidation Act, centralizing accounting, financial reporting, procurement, fleet services, human resources and payroll functions in the Department of Administration. HF0418, introduced Feb. 9.

• Authored a bill reducing the number of departments in the executive branch from 20 to eight. HF0419, introduced Feb. 9.

• Co-authored a bill creating an independent authority to manage, supervise, and administer Minnesota's permanent school trust lands. HF0435, introduced Feb. 9.

Rep. Pat Mazorol (R-Bloomington):

• Co-authored a bill proposing the Back Office Consolidation Act, centralizing accounting, financial reporting, procurement, fleet services, human resources and payroll functions in the Department of Administration. HF0418, introduced Feb. 9.

• Co-authored a bill reducing the number of departments in the executive branch from 20 to eight. HF0419, introduced Feb. 9.

• Authored a bill enacting amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 adopted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and making conforming changes. HF0444, introduced Feb. 10.

Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina): 

• Co-authored a bill providing a credit for investment in start-up and emerging Minnesota businesses. SF0283, introduced Feb. 10.