Governor Dayton offers attempt at compromise, prioritizing Emergency School Aid and Safe Schools legislation 

Governor offers more compromises on Tax Bill, accepting some positions he objects to in order to cut taxes for over 2 million Minnesotans and simplify taxes for individuals and businesses

Republican Legislature left all of the important work of the Session to the final hours, putting at risk solutions for many of the urgent needs facing Minnesotans

 ST. PAUL, MN – In another attempt to deliver on the many urgent needs facing Minnesotans, Governor Mark Dayton today presented Republican Legislative Leaders with compromise proposals for a Budget Bill and a Tax Bill. Governor Dayton’s proposal would deliver Emergency School Aid to every Minnesota school district, fund agreed-upon school safety measures, deliver tax cuts for over 2 million Minnesotans, and simplify tax filing for individuals, families, and businesses. Additionally, the Governor again urged Legislators to pass a standalone School Safety bill, today, that will improve the security of Minnesota schools and better ensure the safety of our students.

“Compromise means that you agree to things you don’t agree with. There is still time to conclude this Legislative Session with solutions to the many urgent challenges facing the people of Minnesota,” said Governor Dayton. “I strongly urge Republican Legislative Leaders to compromise with me, eliminate the many remaining objectionable provisions from their Omnibus Budget Bill, and send me legislation that I can sign before their Constitutional adjournment. The people of Minnesota expect their Legislature to get their work done. Minnesotans deserve nothing less.”

The following is a brief overview of the priorities included in Governor Dayton’s compromise offer to Republican Legislative Leaders. To view a spreadsheet noting the differences between the Governor’s original budget proposal, this compromise offer, and the Conference Report offered by Republican Legislative Leaders, CLICK HERE. To view a spreadsheet detailing the Governor’s compromise Tax Bill, CLICK HERE. 

Emergency School Aid

Three weeks ago, Governor Dayton called on Legislators to support Emergency School Aid to help school districts across Minnesota avoid layoffs and program cuts, and ensure excellent educations for every student. The Governor’s compromise offer would prioritize this urgently-needed funding, providing $138 million in Emergency School Aid to every school district, including $124 million this year and $14 million next year.

Safe and Secure Schools Act

More than two months ago, Governor Dayton announced his proposed Safe and Secure Schools Act to enhance safety for students, teachers, parents, and staff at schools throughout Minnesota. The Governor’s compromise offer would invest $27 million in school safety measures this year through the Budget Bill, and $25 million in the Bonding Bill. These investments include grants to local school districts to choose investments including security improvements, school resource officers, and mental health support staff to keep kids safe. The Governor has asked that the Legislature send him this measure in a standalone bill. 

Tax Cuts for Over 2 Million Minnesotans

Governor Dayton has proposed a compromise on Taxes – including some positions he objects to – in order to cut taxes for over two million Minnesotans and simplify tax filing for individuals, families, and businesses. The Governor’s compromise would accept a portion of the Republicans’ proposal for a tax rate cut on individuals and families, providing a 0.2 percent income tax rate cut on the first $37,000 of earned income for every Minnesotan. And, unlike the tax policies enacted by President Trump and Republicans in Congress (which taxes all foreign corporate income at the federal level that has been sheltered overseas), the Governor’s compromise would leave $75 million of foreign corporate income untaxed at the state level. It would also repeal the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax. Reaching agreement on a Tax Bill to respond to the federal changes will make sure taxes for Minnesotans and businesses are not needlessly complicated next year.

[BUDGET COMPROMISE] See a spreadsheet detailing Governor Dayton’s compromise Budget offer to address the urgent needs facing Minnesotans. [Link] 

[TAX CUT COMPROMISE] See a spreadsheet detailing Governor Dayton’s compromise Tax Bill offer to cut taxes for over 2 million Minnesotans, and simplify tax filing for individuals, families, and businesses. [Link]

[LETTER] Read the letter that Governor Dayton sent to Legislative Leaders, offering compromise solutions for the Budget and Tax Bills. [Link]