The state legislature is working to balance $700M in deficit, so how will they do it?
The good news is that they don't seem to have plans on tax increases. Here's an educated guess by people who work at the capitol on how this might end:
$400M-Federal Dollars
$150M-Savings from new GMAC Bill
$150M-Cut from Health & Human Services
You can keep score from home. We'll see how this ends up!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Steele County Board Notes-Feb. 23, 2010
A part of the OACCT's Public Policy efforts for 2010 is to become more active and involved on the County level. Volunteers from the Public Policy committee attend both City and County meetings and report back on items that are of interest/concern to business.
County Commissioner Meeting
Tuesday, February 23rd
3:00pm
The commission reviewed the Agricultural Vulnerability assessment. They discussed the responsibility of FEMA and the county when it comes to the compost of dead animals during a disaster and the responsibility of pets. All groups were in agreement it is best to review who is in charge before a manmade or natural disaster to ensure there are not six people thinking they are in charge when they show up during a disaster.
County Appraiser reviewed the plan for an updated ariel surveying photos of the county. The estimate if done the same as ten years ago it would cost $209,000. If they do 25 square miles it would be $8,400. The department had a 10 year and 5year plan for the photos. They would use compliance money for the photography and not general fund. They can get the same photos for $49,000.
The county needed to decide between black and white and color and they would be asking for a contribution from the city of $15,000 or 20% whichever is less. They received 11 bids and they recommended Aerometrics.
They reviewed the auditors petty cash and added it to the annual procedure checklist to ensure resolutions are on the record. They would be auditing a couple areas each year. Primaries will be held in August. They have been unselected as an ELS agent and will no longer sell licenses at the auditors office. They make 160 sales a year and half of them are special licenses. People will have to get them at the other locations throughout town.
SHIP is on the block by the governor. They would like to hire someone to work 15 hours a week from her home to help with the MRC grant. They would like to file for a PHER competitive grant to help with N1H1. It would have to be used or obligated to spend the money by June 30th. The grant is $38,000. She needed approval from the board to go ahead with the application and to let her know what they should spend the money on. They discussed a badging system and the purchase of a van to assist with travel and carrying items to and from the N1H1 clinics. They have had problems with the badging system they currently have and were waiting for the regional center to decide if they would be using a new badging system. They chose the badging system.
ELC alliance plans for the district center approved by the end of March. The existing radio wil be off on December 31. Need to move to an 800 megahertz system. It will involve the city park and rec and utilities departments.
The county redesign is proceeding they were going to go over it at the 7:00pm session. They have developed a 10 point redesign plan. They claim it will cut One Billion dollars.
Meeting was adjourned.
County Commissioner Meeting
Tuesday, February 23rd
3:00pm
The commission reviewed the Agricultural Vulnerability assessment. They discussed the responsibility of FEMA and the county when it comes to the compost of dead animals during a disaster and the responsibility of pets. All groups were in agreement it is best to review who is in charge before a manmade or natural disaster to ensure there are not six people thinking they are in charge when they show up during a disaster.
County Appraiser reviewed the plan for an updated ariel surveying photos of the county. The estimate if done the same as ten years ago it would cost $209,000. If they do 25 square miles it would be $8,400. The department had a 10 year and 5year plan for the photos. They would use compliance money for the photography and not general fund. They can get the same photos for $49,000.
The county needed to decide between black and white and color and they would be asking for a contribution from the city of $15,000 or 20% whichever is less. They received 11 bids and they recommended Aerometrics.
They reviewed the auditors petty cash and added it to the annual procedure checklist to ensure resolutions are on the record. They would be auditing a couple areas each year. Primaries will be held in August. They have been unselected as an ELS agent and will no longer sell licenses at the auditors office. They make 160 sales a year and half of them are special licenses. People will have to get them at the other locations throughout town.
SHIP is on the block by the governor. They would like to hire someone to work 15 hours a week from her home to help with the MRC grant. They would like to file for a PHER competitive grant to help with N1H1. It would have to be used or obligated to spend the money by June 30th. The grant is $38,000. She needed approval from the board to go ahead with the application and to let her know what they should spend the money on. They discussed a badging system and the purchase of a van to assist with travel and carrying items to and from the N1H1 clinics. They have had problems with the badging system they currently have and were waiting for the regional center to decide if they would be using a new badging system. They chose the badging system.
ELC alliance plans for the district center approved by the end of March. The existing radio wil be off on December 31. Need to move to an 800 megahertz system. It will involve the city park and rec and utilities departments.
The county redesign is proceeding they were going to go over it at the 7:00pm session. They have developed a 10 point redesign plan. They claim it will cut One Billion dollars.
Meeting was adjourned.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Coffee With the Legislators
At the Chamber's "Coffee With the Legislators" on 1/28/10, an interesting legislative session was described and discussed. Newly elected Senator Mike Parry was out of town, and unable to attend the event, so Rep. Kory Kath presented the outlook starting with the bonding bill.
Even years represent perhaps the 'easier' of the two legislative sessions because it's not a budget year. Despite that, a bonding bill impacts the budget and this year the experts, including Rep. Kath, believe the bill will end up being near $1B. In addition to the bonding bill, several other topics were covered:
Education-there was a funding shift last year that forced school districts to borrow money until the state paid them, now the state is holding back payments to schools in the short term to cover additional shortfalls. The hope here is that the state will receive Federal 'Race to the Top' grant money to off set some of the dollar shortfalls our schools are seeing.
Angel Investor Tax Credit-Rep. Kath brought this topic up and it was timely. Recently we know of at least 3 businesses who've left Minnesota for Wisconsin because of investor tax credits. We believe MN should have this incentive to keep small business growing here versus moving to neighboring states.
Nuclear Ban-Rep. Kath is open to discussing nuclear for power generation in Minnesota, however he said he'll need to see the numbers that show it is economically the right thing to do. The Chamber supports repealing the nuclear ban.
Capital Equipment tax credit-allowing businesses to take the tax credit at the time of a capital purchase, versus the current law that forces businesses to wait until they file their taxes. Also an item the Chamber wants passed this session.
Tax Structure Change-Rep. Kath believes our reliance on property taxes has grown so much that it is beginning to be unfairly balanced. Structural change of the tax system is something he is open to, but he understands the reality politically is that this concept has small chance right now.
The 2010 legislature starts on February 4th. We'll keep you up to date on the top business issues and ask for your voice when needed.
Even years represent perhaps the 'easier' of the two legislative sessions because it's not a budget year. Despite that, a bonding bill impacts the budget and this year the experts, including Rep. Kath, believe the bill will end up being near $1B. In addition to the bonding bill, several other topics were covered:
Education-there was a funding shift last year that forced school districts to borrow money until the state paid them, now the state is holding back payments to schools in the short term to cover additional shortfalls. The hope here is that the state will receive Federal 'Race to the Top' grant money to off set some of the dollar shortfalls our schools are seeing.
Angel Investor Tax Credit-Rep. Kath brought this topic up and it was timely. Recently we know of at least 3 businesses who've left Minnesota for Wisconsin because of investor tax credits. We believe MN should have this incentive to keep small business growing here versus moving to neighboring states.
Nuclear Ban-Rep. Kath is open to discussing nuclear for power generation in Minnesota, however he said he'll need to see the numbers that show it is economically the right thing to do. The Chamber supports repealing the nuclear ban.
Capital Equipment tax credit-allowing businesses to take the tax credit at the time of a capital purchase, versus the current law that forces businesses to wait until they file their taxes. Also an item the Chamber wants passed this session.
Tax Structure Change-Rep. Kath believes our reliance on property taxes has grown so much that it is beginning to be unfairly balanced. Structural change of the tax system is something he is open to, but he understands the reality politically is that this concept has small chance right now.
The 2010 legislature starts on February 4th. We'll keep you up to date on the top business issues and ask for your voice when needed.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Representative Kath-2010 Session Start
District 26 A Representative Kory Kath gives a brief update on what's happening at the Captiol as well as the bonding bill.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
State Senate 26 Candidate Forum
Listen to the forum responses with candidates Jason Engbrecht (D), Mike Parry (R) and Roy Srp (I).
Forum was held January 18th, 2010 by the OACCT, Owatonna People's Press and the Early and Noon Rotary Clubs.
MP3 File
Forum was held January 18th, 2010 by the OACCT, Owatonna People's Press and the Early and Noon Rotary Clubs.
MP3 File
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