[additional authors: Joey Novak, Stephanie Pinkalla]
Most House and Senate committees met for the first time this week, and spent the majority of their committee sessions hearing caucus staff and experts review issues they are expected to handle during the session. Talk around the Capitol focused on transportation early in the week as the Senate DFL released their transportation plan. A motion to accelerate a proposal for more transparency in campaign finance was presented and rejected in the House, and the Senate Tax Committee forwarded a federal tax conformity bill to the Senate floor.
Transportation
The Senate DFL plan presented on Monday has few similarities with the House GOP transportation finance plan released last week. Financing for the Senate plan will come from a wholesale tax increase (like Governor Dayton's plan) at 6.5 percent, a license tab fees increase, and a 0.75 cent sales tax increase for metro area transit. The House intends to fund a transportation plan with existing state funds and without tax increases. Transit is not included in the House proposal, and Speaker Kurt Daudt announced the GOP Caucus would not support funding for the Southwest Corridor light rail line.
Taxes
The Senate Tax Committee met Tuesday morning, and focused on two pieces of legislation. SF51 clarified language adopted in 2014 regarding the Working Family Credit. SF50 focused on federal tax conformity to reduce complexity in upcoming tax filings. Both bills passed unanimously through committee to the Senate floor.
The companion to the federal conformity tax bill (HF6) was heard in the House Tax Committee, and was amended to include the legislative clarification of computation of state aid payments relating to the Destination Medical Center (DMC) initiative. This amended bill was referred to House Ways & Means and sent to the House floor where it was adopted. The House Tax Committee also heard a bill to repeal the sales tax on precious metals (bullion), which was laid-over for possible inclusion in an omnibus tax bill.
Capitol Space Allocations
Governor Dayton, Speaker Kurt Daudt and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk have not been able to come to an agreement over space allocations in the newly renovated Capitol building and new Senate office building. Failure to reach agreement could potentially add to the long term cost of the project.
Upcoming Legislative Notes
Now that each majority has released its respective transportation packages, all eyes are on Governor Dayton to announce his funding plan. Data practices and data-related issues have also been attracting attention at the Capitol, and some legislative movement is expected in the next week. The much awaited discussion on Sunday alcohol sales is also likely to emerge early this session.