They can't help with the deficit unless the governor provides details, Democrats argue
The House Finance Committee today (Dec. 15) held a long meeting with Democratic lawmakers — and some Republicans, too — trying to pin down Pawlenty Administration officials on the scope of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s expected unallotment of the state budget.
The first round of unallotments could come later this week.
Pawlenty Press Secretary Brian McClung said the administration has been receiving input for lawmakers and it’s helpful and appreciated.
“They have encouraged the Governor to use unallotment with their input and we are preparing to do so sometime in the near future,” he said in an email.
But some Democratic lawmakers during the committee hearing expressed frustration over what they perceived as an unwillingness by administration officials to provide details on possible budget cuts.
“I guess I’m wondering what the heck is going on with the Department of Education,” House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, at one point asked Education Commissioner Alice Seagren.
Kelliher and Seagren agreed school districts had limited options in raising additional revenue to counteract budget cuts.
“I think that is something the governor should weigh heavily when he thinks of unallotment,” said Kelliher.
The committee took testimony from higher education officials, including University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) Chancellor James McCormick.
Bruininks indicated that the university has about $50 million left in its current budget — about $8.5 million per month until the end of the fiscal year.
“I know we need to do our part,” he said of absorbing cuts.
But Bruininks spoke of heavy higher education cuts made back during the 2003 budget crisis.
“MnSCU and the University of Minnesota led the hits parade,” he quipped.
McCormick told lawmakers that in times of economic troubles the number of students enrolling in MnSCU historically has increased.
The chancellor spoke of a need for lawmakers to provide flexibility to MnSCU in dealing with its budget.
Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville, urged her fellow lawmakers to provide solutions for the budget deficit, not just a litany of complaints about the Pawlenty budget unallotmants.
“You can’t solve this problem without cutting,” she said.
By state law, Minnesota must have a balanced state budget.
