Downey Feeling 'Positive' About First 100 Days

State Rep. Keith Downey (R-Edina) is feeling pretty pleased with the first 100 days of the current legislative session.

After casting votes in favor of a package of Republican budget bills now on their way to Gov. Mark Dayton, Downey said things are "well ahead of schedule compared to previous years."

"We've got a good budget package," Downey said. "Everyone on the DFL side said it couldn't be done, that we had to raise taxes to do this. Not only did we not have to raise taxes, but we've shown if we reform and restructure what we're doing the way we have proposed, we can actually improve the level of service at the state."

Downey is interested in seeing how Gov. Dayton reacts to the bills, saying it will be difficult for him to reconcile "wanting to tax the rich who aren't paying their fair share" with the Republican mantra of "making sure government lives within its means."

"I think there are places even in our state government finance bill—which was a pretty strong statement we have to get more efficient in agencies—where probably one-third of it is largely aligned with the governor's budget proposal," Downey said.

Gov. Dayton has criticized Republican budget bills in the past, but has not said whether he will veto them.

House Minority Leader Paul Thissen (DLF-Minneapolis) likened his colleagues' efforts to solve the state's $5 billion budget deficit to former President George W. Bush's 2003' speech about the Iraq War in front of a "Mission Accomplished" banner.

"They say they've produced a budget, but let's be real: there is no Republican budget yet," Thissen said.

Thissen asserted there is no Republican budget at this point, but rather a bunch of competing Republican proposals and a $1 billion accounting hole.

"They are still living in a magical world," he said.

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

Rep. Keith Downey (R-Edina):

• Authored a bill authorizing the designation of state agency programs as performance-based organizations. HF1391, introduced April 6.

Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina): 

• Authored a bill eliminating certain on-sale liquor license restrictions at TCF Bank Stadium. SF1076, introduced April 4.

Rep. Pat Mazorol (R-Bloomington):

• Co-authored a bill authorizing the designation of state agency programs as performance-based organizations. HF1391, introduced April 6.