The last four weeks of the legislative budget year are usually the busiest of times for legislators.
I have been appointed to the Public Safety and Judiciary Budget Conference committee. We met every day last week to discuss financial and policy issues involving our state prisons, the courts, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Lab, the Sentencing Guideline Commission, Human Rights department, and others.
The Senate DFL Majority gave our committee a budget cap (or target) which is $6 million less than proposed by Governor Pawlenty. The last Senate offer to the House (delivered on Saturday night) underfunded the Department of Corrections by about $5.5 million and the BCA Lab by nearly $10 million. The BCA lab cannot keep up with criminal forensic analysis demands and has requested 20 new scientists. As of now, we are funding less than 10.
There is enough money to pay for public safety needs in the Governor’s budget. But, the Senate Majority has moved more money to education and public health care programs, and less for other state budget needs.
This is the time that the Governor and legislature have to be talking and compromising. I’m not sure that the Governor will sign a bill which under funds our state prisons, and crime lab by this much. Let’s hope that legislative leaders will be able to reach agreement on new targets with the Governor. There is still plenty of time to reach a compromise.
The legislature will be passing many of the budget bills this week. I will start sending out my email newsletter with more details and insider information this week. If you would like to be added to my email newsletter list, please contact my senate office.