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With an insider’s eye, Hot Dish tracks the tastiest bits of Minnesota’s political scene and keep you up-to-date on those elected to serve you.

Contributors in Minnesota: Jennifer Brooks, Baird Helgeson, Mike Kaszuba, Patricia Lopez, Jim Ragsdale, Brad Schrade and Rachel E. Stassen-Berger. Contributors in D.C.: Kevin Diaz and Corey Mitchell.

Posts about State budgets

Tips for Capitol newbies

Posted by: Rachel E. Stassen-Berger Updated: January 4, 2013 - 10:45 AM

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From secret Capitol spots to warnings about echoing tunnels, Minnesota Capitol veterans are offering advice for all the new folks who will storm the domed building when session starts on January 8th.

Check out their tips for Capitol newbies below and add your own on Twitter using the hashtag #tipsforcapitolnewbies.

 

 

Taxpayers' reimbursement of senators shows wide range

Posted by: Baird Helgeson Updated: December 22, 2012 - 4:58 PM

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DFL state Sen. Keith Langseth collected $36,339 in state-paid living expenses this year, the most of any state senator.

Republican Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen took in $33,821, the most of any Republican senator. That includes $7,743 in mileage reimbursement for the Alexandria senator.

The final list of taxpayer paid expenses for 2012 shows a wide range of reimbursements for Minnesota senators, with most members collecting thousands of dollars for meals, mileage and lodging while they are in St. Paul.

Republican Sen. Roger Chamberlain collected just $360, which was only for his communication costs. He collected no other money for food, lodging or mileage.

Most of the senators who collected higher mileage checks live in the far reaches of the state or serve on committees that require them to drive to faraway meetings.

Langseth, a cattle rancher in Glyndon who traveled as part of his role on the Capital Investment Committee, got $10,419 in mileage, the most of any senator.

More than a dozen senators were not reimbursed for any mileage.

Ten senators took taxpayer-funded trips.

Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, spent the most on travel, $1,040. Sen. Doug Magnus, R-Slayton, was reimbursed for $9 in travel.

Here’s the complete 2012 list below:


 

2012 Senators' Expenses

Both sides prepare for marriage battle at Minnesota Capitol

Posted by: Baird Helgeson Updated: December 20, 2012 - 1:59 PM

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The group that defeated the marriage amendment last month is reforming to persuade legislators to legalize same-sex marriage.

“Our intention is to make sure gay and lesbian couples have the freedom to marry after the 2013 legislative session,” said Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for Minnesotans United for All Families.

Minnesotans United, which raised millions of dollars and united tens of thousands of volunteers, is in the early stages of converting from a statewide campaign into a Capitol lobbying effort. The group plans to continue to urge supporters to have conversations around the state about the need to legalize same-sex marriage.

“It’s going to continue to be a massive grassroots campaign,” Carlbom said.

Minnesota for Marriage, the group that unsuccessfully pushed the amendment, plans to work just has hard to persuade legislators to not redefine marriage. They note that a majority of voters in most counties voted to pass the measure, which would have added a same-sex marriage ban into the state Constitution.

Minnesota for Marriage met with supporters this week to plan their effort and have already embarked on a massive fundraising effort.

“We anticipate that the Legislature will move to redefine marriage, most likely this year, which is one principal reason why Minnesota needed a marriage amendment,” said Jason Adkins, executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference.

Adkins and other same-sex marriage opponents warn that new Democratic majorities in the state House and Senate risk alienating Minnesota voters if they press the marriage issue.

“The new DFL majorities will burn enormous political capital ending the conversation and imposing same-sex marriage,” Adkins said. “It could undermine the rest of their legislative goals.”

Democratic legislative leaders have so far not embraced plans to change the definition of marriage this session. They say the focus will be on wiping out a $1.1 billion budget deficit, overhauling the tax system and stabilizing education funding.
 

November state revenue beats target, budget officials say

Posted by: Baird Helgeson Updated: December 10, 2012 - 4:17 PM

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Minnesota’s revenue picture continued to beat projections in November, taking in nearly $10 million more than expected.

Sales tax revenue had the strongest improvement last month, taking in $383.7 million, nearly $4 million more than projected by Minnesota Management and Budget.

Individual income tax collections were off slightly, coming in at $615.3 million, about $200,000 below target.

Corporate income taxes accounted for $8 million, about $1.6 million less than expected.

An economic snapshot released last week by Minnesota Management and Budget revealed that the state will end the fiscal year about $1.3 billion better than projected, money that by law must go to repay K-12 public schools.

For the next two-year budget cycle, forecasters are anticipating a deficit of $1.1 billion.

Campaign finance board looking for cash

Posted by: Rachel E. Stassen-Berger Updated: December 10, 2012 - 4:17 PM

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The Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure board is cash-strapped and looking for ways out, according to a memo from its executive director.

Later this week, the board will discuss whether it should ask lawmakers and the governor for $1 million for each of the next fiscal years or whether to ask for a smaller amount but institute registration fees on lobbyists, candidates or political committees to make up the gap. While other states use fees, executive director Gary Goldsmith told board members in a memo that fees could result in a lawsuit no matter how they are set.

The board currently has a budget of $689,000, which Goldsmith said is the lowest level it has been since 2003.

With the current budget levels, “we have been able to carry on, but never to excel or improve,” Goldsmith said.

At the same time, the board has seen a “soaring number of complaints,” which it has a tough time investigating; received questionable campaign finance reports that it cannot investigate or audit; has no staff time to analyze the data it accumulates and offer treasurers less support and training than they need.

The board will meet on Wednesday to discuss its legislative recommendations in full.

inside the StarTribune