Sen. Bonoff on Budget Solutions

Editor's Note: Gov. Mark Dayton and state Republican legislative leaders agreed Thursday on a preliminary budget and took the first steps toward ending the government shutdown. Since then both parties have remained locked in negotiations. The biggest sticking points remain the bills on Health and Human Services and K-12 education.

Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka) has expressed her disappointment with the compromise because, she said, the solution doesn’t solve the real problem: a swollen budget with few long-term fixes. 

“I’m opposed to short-term measures to solve long-term problems. I think that’s irresponsible,” she said.

The following is an op-ed written by Sen. Bonoff in the days before the compromise was reached. In it, she rejects shifting school aid payments and offers up her idea for solving the $1.4 billion budget gap: a revamp of the state sales tax.

Reform, Redesign, Bipartisanship Key to Solving Crisis

It’s hard to believe 11 days have passed since the fiscal biennium ended in gridlock. It is unacceptable that there’s no agreement in sight. While I have recriminations for each of us who serve, I write today not to assign blame, but to provide a way forward.

We will reach consensus by coming together and harnessing the power of our collective spirit. I have served in the Minnesota Senate for six years and remain convinced we have not yet come to the table serious about transforming government into something that can propel us into the future with the strength required to meet the demands of our increasingly competitive global economy.

Shortly after I was elected, I began a quest to redesign and reform government—partnering with a broad coalition of Democrats, Republicans, business and labor leaders, educators and independent experts. At every turn, I have been blocked by members of both parties who fear shaking up the status quo.

The current impasse—and the last decade of fiscal crisis—has made it increasingly clear that redesign and reform are the only viable options for Minnesota’s future. It’s high time both sides stop the partisan angling and recognize the true urgency of the situation. We must be driven not by ideology, but instead by our shared passion to leave Minnesota a better place for generations to come.

It’s clear to Minnesotans that holding to entrenched positions hinders our ability to leave our state better than we found it. Allowing our government to shut down was a lowly proposition at best and an exceedingly selfish one at worst—with long-term consequences, as evidenced by the recent downgrading in our bond rating.

Both sides must change their strategy and change it quickly.

The DFL can begin by offering a compromise that has a chance of passing the Republican-controlled Senate and House. For example, why not put forward a common sense expansion of the sales tax to include clothing; levy an additional tax on cigarettes and alcohol; and consider allowing the Racino? The modernization of the sales tax—among other things—is long overdue. It will strengthen our fiscal position by freeing us from some of the volatility that comes from reliance on the personal income tax.

Any offer must also include guarantees that we will immediately begin to reform and redesign state government—including strong policy changes in the areas of education and healthcare—so we never find ourselves in this situation again and position ourselves to lead in human capital. 

This compromise isn’t a “surrender” by the DFL or a “victory” for the Republicans. It’s the right thing—a “win”—for all.

The GOP must realize that this crisis hurts Minnesotans each day. It’s time for the Republican leadership to address the critically important issues facing our state and leave the divisive social issues at the door. Any focus on banning stem cell research, banning gay marriage, and overturning women’s rights is an impediment to emerging strong and united from this economic downturn.

The Republicans must also get serious about a solution that is fiscally responsible. The GOP leadership offered a budget proposal on June 29 that included $700 million of increased debt—borrowing money from both schools and future tobacco settlements. We understand this was an important acknowledgement that our current crisis demands more revenue, but let us not continue the irresponsible practices of the past by offering temporary solutions that add to our financial insecurity. Letting people go without healthcare, or dis-investing in our revered University system, is not any more of a solution than offering a band-aid that results in more pain later.

Serving in a legislative body is like being part of a family. It is time to stop the bickering, set aside egos and ideology, and embrace a solution that provides the strongest path for Minnesota’s future.

I trust the people of Minnesota. They knew who they were voting for last November and those elected should know what their responsibility is. Time has run out for us to live up to those expectations. If we don’t reach a solution quickly, I have no doubt Minnesotans will reach a workable solution of their own in November 2012.

Senator Terri Bonoff

July 11, 2011