Roseville Rep Vows to Keep Working to Break Budget Impasse

A  Roseville state lawmaker said today she still remains committed to working for a compromise in an effort to avert a state government shutdown.

District 54A Rep. Mindy Greiling offered that pledge in a Capitol Update report.  She is the lead DFL member on the House E-12 Education Finance Committee.

The following is Greiling’s statement: 

“The Minnesota budget deadline looms less than one week away. I remain committed to working for a compromise that is responsible, fair and balanced.

"To date, Governor Dayton’s offer includes an eight percent cut to the state båudget and asks the richest two percent of Minnesotans to make up the difference by paying a bit more.

“Without this new revenue, we face devastating consequences of an increased achievement gap, a 12 percent tuition increase, over $1 billion in property taxes, 140,000 Minnesotans losing health care, seniors forced out of their homes, and tens of thousands of permanent job losses.

“Many legislators have been involved in the budget negotiations, including me. I am involved as the Minority Lead on the E-12 Education Finance Committee and as a member of the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy. In both roles, I have been an active participant of negotiations since the Legislature adjourned one month ago.

“This week I traveled across the state and listened to teachers, parents and superintendents concerned about additional cuts or flat funding for public schools. “Regardless of where in the state we were or what type of community we were in (rural, regional center, suburban), there were common concerns. One superintendent noted that after years of making cuts in the face of continued growth in student enrollment that Minnesota was approaching a 1950s education system. Another poignantly noted that “education is not an expense, it’s an investment.”

“From cuts to special education, attacks on teachers and costly new and unproven mandates costing over $1 million, Minnesota’s public schools face many challenges that could harm our students and Minnesota’s historically strong workforce in the long run. Education has been our state’s competitive edge, our comparative advantage.

There is still time for a compromise solution.

“Numerous statewide polls have shown Minnesotans want a resolution that balances cuts with new and fair revenue. Governor Dayton has decreased his tax proposal several times this session and increased his spending cuts to eight in his latest proposal. The legislative majorities have remained at the same revenue level all session.

"I will again be at the Capitol today to push for an end to this tragic game of chicken that Minnesotans should not have to endure.”

Greiling said that constituents who have ideas and suggestions can reach her at 651-296-5387 and rep.mindy.greiling@house.mn.