Minnesota governor vetoes tax and budget bills
Last week, Gov. Mark Dayton (D) vetoed tax and budget bills passed by the GOP-led legislature.
Legislators sent Dayton tax bill HF 947 after Dayton vetoed an omnibus tax bill on May 17.
Dayton wanted more funding for school districts, and Republicans said HF 947 contained $225 million for schools. In his veto message, Dayton rejected the claim, calling for new funding for schools and arguing that 80 percent of the proposed $225 million came from already-allocated sources and the other $50 million was from the budget reserve.
The tax bill would have brought Minnesota's tax code into compliance with the new federal code. The governor's veto could mean possible tax increases for Minnesota residents.
The budget bill would have allocated funds for school security, responses to the opioid epidemic, and the state elder care system, among other things. Dayton said he regretted vetoing some of the bill's provisions. In his veto letter, he wrote: “Included in this enormous bill are workable responses to problems that I sincerely hoped would become law: school safety and HA VA funds. I was sincere in my oft-stated desire to work with you and make these provisions become law. However, you knowingly prevented their enactment by inserting them into a bill, containing policies and agency budget cuts that I had said I would not sign.”
Dayton and legislative leaders placed blame on one another. Dayton said Republicans failed to compromise, while Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R) said the governor's veto was impulsive and vindictive. Dayton said he would not call a special session to address state finances.
|
