The two houses of the Minnesota Legislature are battling to decide how to use the projected surplus, for rebates or for aid.

Monday, February 12, 2001

The two houses of the Minnesota Legislature are battling to decide how to use the projected surplus, for rebates or for aid.

Rep. Dan Dorman, R-Albert Lea, thinks the issue is about choice. He wants to issue taxpayers a rebate with the option of donating it to institutions in need.

Dorman joined his Republican colleagues in the House last week in voting to return about $924 million dollars to Minnesota taxpayers in the form of a sales tax rebate. The bill passed 82-42.

The House bill was an amendment to a recently-passed Senate bill, Dorman said, which provided $30 million to public schools for immediate energy assistance. Dorman said he voted to amend the Senate bill because it would have taken money from the state’s projected surplus.

&uot;I would say there is a difference of opinion between the two parties,&uot; Dorman said. &uot;I think the rebate is a good idea, and we have the support of the governor. But, we’ve been told the bill probably won’t pass the Senate.&uot;

The amended plan from the House would provide for rebate checks this spring with the option of returning the check as a donation. The bill allows for contributions to one of seven institutions: basic sliding-fee child care, K-12 public schools, affordable housing, contaminated site cleanup, public transit, nursing homes or the University of Minnesota and MnSCU.

&uot;This way, people can make a choice, based on their own financial situation, how the rebate is best utilized,&uot; said Dorman. &uot;There are many families who desperately need help paying their heating bills, and there are others who are in a position to help our schools and nursing homes. I believe we should let people decide where the need is the highest.&uot;