Zellers: Governor Dayton Executive Order to Unionize Child Care Providers Unconstitutional

Today’s decision from Ramsey County Judge Dale Lindman is a victory for child care providers and small, independent businesses in Minnesota. It affirms what we have told Governor Dayton since he first called for the unconstitutional union election of child care providers: lawmaking is a function solely entrusted to the Minnesota Legislature. Governor Mark Dayton violated the constitutional separation of powers in calling for a union election of child care providers at the bequest of AFSCME and SEIU. I sincerely thank and congratulate the child care providers who bravely stood up to the unconstitutional overreach of Governor Mark Dayton and his union cronies. Their courage and fight will help protect small businesses in Minnesota from the threat of forced, unilateral unionization in the future.

Veto of K12 Shift Repayment Unconscionable

Statement from Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers on Governor Dayton Veto of K12 Shift Repayment

I took Governor Dayton at his word after the November forecast when he said: ‘I am hopeful, however, that continuing improvement in that forecast will permit us to accelerate our schedule for repaying our schools the money borrowed from them last summer.’ The forecast did improve. We can accelerate repaying schools and sent him the bill, which had bipartisan support, to do it. He vetoed it. When you have $1.2 billion cash on hand, it is time to start paying your debt. Repaying schools keeps our financial commitment to students and reduces our long-term debt. Governor Dayton would prefer our schools borrow money to pay bills while he keeps the cash in his pocket. Governor Dayton’s staunch unwillingness to move forward on a shared goal of putting kids first with no excuses and no exceptions is unconscionable."

Kids First, No Excuses, No Exceptions

St. Paul, MN -- (March 28, 2012) - Republican education leaders in the Minnesota Legislature announced tonight that they stripped all policy language out of the K12 shift repayment bills that were in conference committee.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for Governor Dayton to sign this bill," House Education Finance Chair Garofalo said. "Removing the LIFO provisions from the House File and the policy from the Senate File will give him a clean bill to repay the shift that he can sign."

The House and Senate bills would repay all of the extended school funding shift agreed to last year and begin to repay the shift left by the previous Legislature.

"We can do this in a clean way that puts kids first. The governor expressed interest in accelerating the payments if the February forecast improved. It did, and I take him at his word," Garofalo said.

The conference committee report will be taken up for a vote on the House and Senate floors in the next few days, and then be sent to Governor Mark Dayton for his approval or veto.

MINNESOTA HOUSE PASSES TAX RELIEF AND JOB CREATION ACT

Saint Paul – (March 22, 2012) – The Minnesota House of Representatives today approved the Tax Relief and Job Creation Act by a vote of 72-62. The act is focused on three areas that will encourage long-term economic growth including  statewide business property tax relief, investment in innovation and emerging industries, and job training and placement programs targeted toward Greater Minnesota and veterans.

“We need to do everything we can to make Minnesota a more attractive place to do business, encourage entrepreneurship and foster job creation,” said Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove).  “This will not happen with one-time spending focused on short term gain. Our Tax Relief and Job Creation Act  is focused on business and employment growth, which will encourage long-term economic activity. It encourages businesses to stay here, expand here and create jobs here.”

The Tax Relief and Job Creation Act freezes the statewide tax on business property for one year and phases out the statewide tax on business property over 12 years beginning in 2014. It also excludes 70 percent of the first $150,000 of value for all business property in 2013, benefitting small businesses throughout the state especially those in Greater Minnesota.

“Minnesota’s business property tax rate ranks among the highest in the United States. Our property tax relief package helps create a stronger, competitive business climate by freezing the statewide business property tax rate for one year and phasing out this burdensome regressive tax to allow for more investment in products, services and employees,” said Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston), chief author of the bill.

The Tax Relief and Job Creation Act also supports investment in technology and innovation, which will help make Minnesota a magnet for emerging and high growth industries.  The Act  

• Provides $5 million in increased funding for the Angel Investment Tax Credit. In 2011, the $16 million allocated to the program ran out in November  resulting in numerous applications being rejected and Minnesota lost out on new jobs. The additional $5 million will result in more investment in Minnesota start-up companies.

• Increases the Research and Development credit by $25 million, which will encourage entrepreneurship and make Minnesota a more attractive place to do business.
• Provides an upfront sales tax exemption for small businesses. This will allow small business, less than $1 million and less than 20 employees, to invest in their business or hire additional employees rather than loaning that money to the state’s general fund.
• Establishes the Technology Corporate Franchise Tax Certificate Transfer Program, which allows small, start-up biotech companies in Minnesota to transfer or sell their net operating loss carryovers to larger, more profitable companies. This helps small businesses to gain access to an immediate infusion of cash so they can invest in their operations and hire more employees.

“Our investment in innovation is a long-term investment strategy in entrepreneurship, business development and job creation to help Minnesota become a magnet  for the high growth businesses such as medical devices, bio technology and the life science industry,” Zellers said.

The Tax Relief and Job Creation Act also creates a internship grant program that is aimed at attracting and keeping talent in Greater Minnesota. The program, which is administrated through the Office of Higher Education, provides a grant of up to $1250 per intern to employers. The Act also creates a permanent tax credit of up to $14,400 for employers who hire veterans who are disabled, unemployed or receive food stamps. 

The  bill will now be referred to the Minnesota Senate for consideration.

###

Photo ID constitutional amendment bill passes the House

PHOTO ID CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BILL PASSES THE HOUSE

St. Paul – The Minnesota House of Representatives today passed the photo ID constitutional amendment bill on a vote of 72-62. The bill, House File 2738, allows for a public vote in the November election on a photo ID voting requirement.

Under the bill, a ballot question would ask if voters would like to add an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would require that, on Election Day, all voters present valid photo identification prior to casting a ballot. A majority vote of the people would amend the constitution, and the Legislature would implement the new photo ID requirement in 2013. This amendment would also require state identification be made available at no charge to those who do not already have an ID.

The amendment preserves the ability of all eligible Minnesotans, including military members, college students, and the elderly, to continue voting with ease. It also keeps in place same day voter registration and absentee voting. Representative Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake), the chief author of the bill, testified on the House floor on behalf of her bill.

“I think it is fitting that this measure be given approval by our voting public,” said Representative Kiffmeyer. “Polls are showing overwhelming public support for a photo ID voting requirement; and this will finally put that decision where it belongs, in the hands of the Minnesota voters. This measure will add some much needed integrity to our voter registration system.”

Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) added “Minnesotans deserve to know their vote counts. Photo ID is a simple, common sense measure that protects the integrity of our elections and instills greater confidence in the process.”

House File 2738 must be approved by the Minnesota Senate before it will appear on the ballot this November. The amendment does not include any mandates for spending or technology requirements. Enacting legislation would be decided by the Legislature only after the amendment is approved during the 2012 November election.