Virtual File - Item

Text: Senator District 17
120 State Capitol Building
75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55155-1606
Office phone: (651) 296-5419
Email: Sen.Sean.Nienow@Senate.mn
State of Minnesota

June 24, 2011

Governor Mark Dayton
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55155

Governor Dayton,

As state budget negotiations continue, it seems possible that all differences might not be resolved prior to July 1st. Without a budget in place at that time almost all state spending must stop. Most state government operations and services would cease, resulting in a State government shutdown. That would be detrimental to tens of thousands of employees, and many thousands of citizens who utilize core services and functions of government.

The Legislature has a budget proposal and you in turn have your position on the budget. Many differences have been eliminated as the Legislature has offered to meet a number of your spending targets, but a final agreement remains elusive. However, even without a final budget agreement on July 1st a shutdown is not necessary.

I propose a third way, an option to prevent an unnecessary government shutdown - to keep state services operational and keep state employees at their jobs.

Accompanying this letter is a draft proposal of a simple, yet effective interim solution. In the event you have not agreed to a final budget solution with the Legislature before July 1st, my proposal would essentially do two things:
1) Courts and public safety functions would be funded at 100% of current 2011 budget spending levels.
2) Other budget areas would receive 90% of current 2011 budget appropriations allowing government services to remain operational and state employees to remain working without disruption.

This solution would afford stability and allow state employees and services to remain in place, while still maintaining a strong incentive for you and the Legislature to continue negotiating a final state budget agreement.

The Legislature cannot pass bills to prevent a shutdown unless you call a special session. As I describe my proposal to state employees, nearly all agree it makes sense. Invariably they ask if you'll call us back to pass this bill. My exact response is always, "The only reason for Governor Dayton to not call a special session would be to use state services and state employees as political leverage. I choose to believe he won't do that."

Governor, I implore you - for the good of Minnesota - in these waning days of June, please choose to call a special session and prevent a shutdown. It is the right thing to do for our state, and only you have that authority.

I urge you to discuss this option with Legislative leaders as you meet today and tomorrow. They have expressed interest in my proposal, as I hope will you. If you are interested and available, I certainly would welcome the opportunity to personally discuss this with you in more detail at any time.

Sincerely,
Sean Nienow

(see attached file for proposed legislation)