Budget / Taxes

Aug 13, 2009

DFLers ask MN hospitals for proposals that will wring out millions in savings

A state House and Senate working group that focuses on the general assistance medical care (GAMC) program on Wednesday embarked on a mission to propose millions of dollars in cost savings and reforms that will make up for the program’s elimination.

Jul 31, 2009

Greater MN cities pledge to strike back on LGA cuts

The lobby for greater Minnesota cities is calling for legislators in 2010 to scale back Pawlenty's LGA cuts

Jul 22, 2009

Battle over payday lending is resolved (for now)

In a legislative session that isn't being remembered for compromise, hard-fought legislation regulating payday lending in Minnesota takes effect Aug. 1 that is an exception to the polarization at the Capitol.

Jul 22, 2009

Battle over payday lending is resolved (for now)

In a legislative session that isn't being remembered for compromise, hard-fought legislation regulating payday lending in Minnesota takes effect Aug. 1 that is an exception to the polarization at the Capitol.

Jul 22, 2009

Otto to chair committee

State Auditor Rebecca Otto has been named to serve a two-year stint as chair the Human Resources Committee of the National State Auditors Association (NSAA). Otto, a DFLer who was first elected as auditor in 2006, said the committee is concerned about issues of work force and succession planning as the Baby Boom generation retires from state government employment. The committee is also considerin[...]

Jul 22, 2009

Otto to chair committee

State Auditor Rebecca Otto has been named to serve a two-year stint as chair the Human Resources Committee of the National State Auditors Association (NSAA). Otto, a DFLer who was first elected as auditor in 2006, said the committee is concerned about issues of work force and succession planning as the Baby Boom generation retires from state government employment. The committee is also considerin[...]

Jul 9, 2009

Audit: States using stimulus just to stay afloat

Projects in some of the nation's poorest areas don't appear to be getting a fair shake in the spending of $787 billion in stimulus funds, the chairman of the House oversight committee said Wednesday.

Jul 9, 2009

Audit: States using stimulus just to stay afloat

Projects in some of the nation's poorest areas don't appear to be getting a fair shake in the spending of $787 billion in stimulus funds, the chairman of the House oversight committee said Wednesday.

Jul 9, 2009

New U of M report suggests transportation revenue alternatives

The University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) delivered to state legislators this week a couple of alternative ways to pay for transportation projects. These new ways to pay for transportation improvement initiatives are referred to as "value capture" opportunities in transportation funding parlance. House Transportation and Transit Policy and Oversight Chairman [...]

Jul 9, 2009

New U of M report suggests transportation revenue alternatives

The University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) delivered to state legislators this week a couple of alternative ways to pay for transportation projects. These new ways to pay for transportation improvement initiatives are referred to as "value capture" opportunities in transportation funding parlance. House Transportation and Transit Policy and Oversight Chairman [...]

Jun 23, 2008

The challenge of tax changes for businesses

The anticipated billion-dollar-plus budget deficit facing Minnesota legislators in 2009 could spell trouble for Minnesota businesses. Already, during the 2008 legislative session, state lawmakers limited the number of corporations that can qualify for a tax break as a foreign operating corporation, thereby raising $109 million to help plug a $935 million state deficit. With an eye on the sta[...]

Feb 28, 2008

Several bills seek to broaden the state sales tax, thus easing Minnesota’s budget volatility

While campaigning for her seat in 2004, Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, listened to several former Minnesota Finance commissioners complain about the state budget’s volatile mood swings. The complaint, she’s since decided, has merit. Since joining the House in 2005, Hortman has watched the state’s budget bounce from deficit to surplus and back to deficit again. And Thursday, Fina[...]