Clark

assesses

session

Local lawmaker prefers good

budget in June to lousy compromise

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- In assessing the recently adjourned legislative session, Rep. James Clark, R-New Ulm, wants to make one point abundantly clear.

"The work is done; it hasn't been left undone," he said. "The work is done; we just have philosophical differences and are at an impasse about what is best for our state."

He isn't worried about the possibility of a special session to wrap up loose ends, either. "I would rather have a good budget in June than a lousy compromise in May."

What complicates matters and amplifies the differences, as far as Clark is concerned, is the existing tripartite situation with Republicans controlling the House, the Democrats the Senate and the governor being of a third party.

"Permanent, significant property tax relief and adequate funding for our schools are what we are fighting for," Clark said. "We have a total budget of $27 billion; it's the reform issues we're talking about."

These issues, according to Clark, include the governor not providing funding for declining pupil enrollment.

"This is a serious problem in Brown County where every district is facing declining enrollment. This funding is important to education."

Another big issue, according to Clark, is the governor's efforts to circumvent the five-year limit on welfare benefits.

"The governor's latest proposal basically does away with the limits. We are in the fourth year, and now they're saying 'surely, you can't be serious about cutting off benefits after the fifth year;' well, yes, we are. We think five years is a very reasonable amount of time for recipients to return to the work force."

Clark also points to the Conservation Resource Enhancement Program (CREP) as another battleground.

"The federal government matches the state contribution on a two-to-one basis," Clark explained. "So, by September 2002, the state needs to come up with $50-$60 million which would then produce $100-$120 million in federal matching funds. This is critically important to the entire Minnesota River drainage area."

Turning to the governor's performance, Clark said, "In the past, governors have worked to bring everybody together in reaching a consensus. It didn't happen this time. The governor isn't engaged in the legislative process; he wants to point fingers and seek political gain. This governor has chosen to be totally invisible and totally disengaged."

Clark noted "negotiations are continuing. The House is united behind (House Speaker) Steve Sviggum (R-Kenyon).

"What we want is significant and permanent property tax relief; we're looking at 20-30 percent reduction for homeowners, farmers and businesses. The Senate is moving that way, too."

Clark, who is a Brown County assistant county attorney, noted that he feels good about legislation he has authored, including a bill requiring the collecting and recording of offenders' DNA, and legislation that raises the drug Ecstasy to level 1 and increasing the penalty for sale or possession of the drug in school zones.

The catch is that his bills, like a whole lot of others, are being held captive within omnibus bills hung up in conference committees. His bills happen to be in the judiciary omnibus bill.

The sales tax exemption bill to give the City of New Ulm tax relief on the three community/recreation construction projects is in limbo because "there are a whole lot of sales tax exemption bills out there, and the feeling currently is that they should all be added to the omnibus tax bill or none at all."

Clark said he's not down at all about compromises being made.

"I'm optimistic we will come up with a balanced package that will be well worth negotiating a few more days on. That it will address the education, transportation and health care needs while recognizing the needs of families and all taxpayers."