Gov. Jesse Ventura proposed a compromise tax and spending plan Friday that he expects will bring the Legislature’s special session to a close.
“My expectation,” Ventura said in a press release Friday, is that the Legislature “should vote on this bill early next week.”
The agreement earmarks $900 million in tax relief and $860 million in new spending.
With less than a week left before the July 1 deadline for a government shutdown, several conference committees are still debating key issues including health and human services, K-12 education and a 24-hour waiting period for abortions.
The Higher Education Conference Committee’s $110 million University allocation is not likely to change. The institution is expecting a $90 million increase in general funds and about $20 million in funding from a tobacco prevention endowment for the Academic Health Center.
“My understanding is that the targets will remain the same,” said Rep. Peggy Leppick, R-Golden Valley, the committee chairwoman.
University President Mark Yudof would not comment on the tentative legislative agreement but plans to release the University’s budget to the Board of Regents on Tuesday. The budget will anticipate the state’s predicted $110 million allocation.
He said he will detail proposed cuts and reallocations at the meeting as well.
The governor’s $900 million tax bill builds on the May 25 agreement on education funding and tax reform.
“It provides for more stable and uniform school funding and resolves fairly the differences between House and Senate positions,” Ventura said.
But disagreements still rage.
House Republicans are not supportive of Ventura’s spending proposals.
The governor’s plan includes a 10 percent business property tax reduction – an issue the House has rallied for all session.
But the plan also includes more funding for education and furthers efforts to improve K-12 education statewide.
“While I have made concessions on education spending, I will continue to insist on meaningful accountability standards,” Ventura said.
But some legislators would like to see more investment spending, particularly in higher education.
“I’d like to see more money for higher education,” said Leppick. “But I’m awfully relieved that they have managed to reach some kind of an agreement.”
Six major spending bills remain in limbo within their respective conference committees.
House Republicans and Senate Democrats are debating such issues as family planning grants for abortion clinics, welfare benefit extensions and health insurance for low-income children.
The Health and Human Services bill is currently the most controversial legislation, with all three parties disagreeing about its abortion language.
Ventura is holding fast to his promise not to sign a bill with abortion language included.
“Omnibus spending bills are no place for language that restricts access to abortion services,” Ventura said.
“Let me be absolutely clear: I expect a Health and Human Services bill that I can sign into law before June 30,” he added.
If the Legislature can not come to an agreement on health and human services and other issues before midnight June 30, a government shutdown will occur.
“Hypothetically, a shutdown would have triggered enormous financial and legal problems as well as working a hardship on faculty, staff and students,” Yudof said. “Hopefully, that situation will now be avoided.”
Latasha Webb covers state government and welcomes comments at [email protected]