The current state budget impasse has dragged on far too long, according to State Rep.

Monday, June 25, 2001

The current state budget impasse has dragged on far too long, according to State Rep. Rob Leighton (DFL-Austin).

While the Leighton tries to remain upbeat, clearly the state budget impasse, a possible state government shut-down and the impact of any compromises legislators make to end the 2001 session, leaves himn nervous.

As far as he is concerned, House Republicans must share a large portion of the blame for the budget impasse, because of their inflexibility in their fight for business property tax cuts at a level that the Austin Democrat said "undermines rural homeowners property tax cuts and education."

"Many of us feel that the needs of rural Minnesota are getting shoved to the back burner by the House Republican leadership," Leighton said. "The core Republican proposal is huge property tax cuts for big business and expensive homes in the metropolitan suburbs."

"Obviously, in the long run, there will be a property tax shift from businesses and upper-value homes to mid- and low-value homes," he said. "That is why so many rural legislators have expressed a concern about the House proposal."

Leighton said Democrats have called for a more balanced approach throughout the session, noting that there is enough money in the budget surplus to provide property tax relief to all homeowners and also provide sufficient resources to schools and nursing homes across the state.

"However, that balance cannot be achieved if the tax plan adopted includes whopping double-digit tax cuts for upper-tier business properties," he said.

Also, news that state budget surplus is continuing to shrink due to the weakness of the economy has Leighton concerned. He wants more money placed in the "rainy day" reserve account.

"We obviously need to be prudent with taxpayers’ dollars and whether we are discussing tax cuts or increased spending, we need to keep the long-term health of the economy in mind," he said.

He said both Democrats and Republicans need to show more flexibility to remove the stalemate over a budget and show it quickly as the governor challenged them.

If the eight finance bills and bonding and tax bills aren’t approved and signed by Wednesday, Thursday at the very latest, he expects some state offices to be shut down Saturday … only six days from now.

Leighton spent the weekend reviewing the Governor’s compromise bill over the weekend and said, "It looks promising."

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.