The Governor Responds
I have, in my virtual fingers, a copy of Governor Pawlenty's response back to the Legislature on his signature of the line item vetoed Bonding bill!
Dear Speaker Kelliher,
I have signed into law, with a number of line-item vetoes, the Capital Investment Bill, Chapter 170, House File 380.
I am very disappointed that the legislature ignored an understanding between my office and legislative leadership and my repeated warnings to abide by the state's longstanding debt limit. It is irresponsible to exceed the "credit card limit" that has been maintained by governors and legislators from both parties for the past 30 years. Doing so could jeopardize our state's strong credit rating and low interest rates. The overall limit is $855 million, invlufinh $60 million already allocated in the transportation bill. The legislature spent well behond this figure.
In addition, this bill reflects misplaced priorities. As just one example, I find it inconceivable that legislators would fund a brass band music lending library and yet provide no funding for a much needed new nursing facility at the Minneapolis Veterans Home.
As a result, I have exercised my line-item veto authority to remedy the situation to the best of my ability under the constraints of the bill as presented. These vetoes reduce the overall amount of general obligation bonding in the bill from $925 million to $717 million.
Reducing the bill to this level reflects my commitment to fiscal discipline and an attempt to prioritize important state projects.
The legislature should keep in mind that upholding the state's three percent debt service limit guideline is important to oir ovall fiscal well-being. Debt service is one of the fastest growing items in the general fund. Based on previously enacted bonding bills, the state's debt is projected to increast $239 million from the 2006-07 budge to the 2010-11 budget.
He then goes on to summarize the line-item vetoes and his recommendations. I will cover those in other posts.
Dear Speaker Kelliher,
I have signed into law, with a number of line-item vetoes, the Capital Investment Bill, Chapter 170, House File 380.
I am very disappointed that the legislature ignored an understanding between my office and legislative leadership and my repeated warnings to abide by the state's longstanding debt limit. It is irresponsible to exceed the "credit card limit" that has been maintained by governors and legislators from both parties for the past 30 years. Doing so could jeopardize our state's strong credit rating and low interest rates. The overall limit is $855 million, invlufinh $60 million already allocated in the transportation bill. The legislature spent well behond this figure.
In addition, this bill reflects misplaced priorities. As just one example, I find it inconceivable that legislators would fund a brass band music lending library and yet provide no funding for a much needed new nursing facility at the Minneapolis Veterans Home.
As a result, I have exercised my line-item veto authority to remedy the situation to the best of my ability under the constraints of the bill as presented. These vetoes reduce the overall amount of general obligation bonding in the bill from $925 million to $717 million.
Reducing the bill to this level reflects my commitment to fiscal discipline and an attempt to prioritize important state projects.
The legislature should keep in mind that upholding the state's three percent debt service limit guideline is important to oir ovall fiscal well-being. Debt service is one of the fastest growing items in the general fund. Based on previously enacted bonding bills, the state's debt is projected to increast $239 million from the 2006-07 budge to the 2010-11 budget.
He then goes on to summarize the line-item vetoes and his recommendations. I will cover those in other posts.
Labels: Governor Pawlenty, MN Legislature
posted by The Lady Logician at
6:54 PM
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