The 2009 legislative session is constitutionally required to adjourn by May 18, less than six weeks from now. In that time, the Senate, House and governor must come to an agreement on how to solve the state’s $6.4 billion budget deficit for the biennium that begins on July 1. With the passage of several budget and policy bills this week, the Legislature is well on its way to meeting the looming May 18 deadline.

The deadline for Senate and House policy committees to complete work on bills that do not raise or spend any money passed before the Easter/Passover break. Those policy bills are either awaiting votes on the Senate floor, or they are on their way to conference committee or to the governor’s desk.

This week, the main focus was on budget bills, which include recommended budget cuts and reforms needed to solve the budget gap. The deadline for budget committees to pass budget recommendations to the full Senate was April 16. The deadline for the Tax Committee to pass a tax bill is April 21. Once all of these bills are passed by the full Senate, they will enter conference committee for final negotiations among the House, the Senate and the governor.

One bill that’s already in conference committee is the bonding bill. The bonding bill is expected to create more than 3,600 jobs in the construction phase by spurring infrastructure improvements across the state, and even more ongoing jobs will be created once renovations and facilities are completed. It’s a key area where we can spend a little money to make even more money in the future and put Minnesotans back to work. Unless Minnesota makes important investments in economic development initiatives and other job-growing policies, we will not recover from this recession or have an opportunity for success in the future.

The Senate’s bill calls for a total of $367 million invested in projects throughout the state; the House’s bill recommends about $100 million less. Locally, the Senate’s bill recommends $26 million in flood hazard mitigation grants, and Albert Lea and Austin are two of 13 cities that may apply for these grants. It also appropriates asset preservation and renewal money for Riverland Community College in Austin and Albert Lea. I’m hopeful the House-Senate conference committee will find a compromise solution within the next several days. It’s important to get this funding approved, get workers hired and get dollars moving.

The Senate has established firm goals to have conference committee work finished by May 7, leaving two full weeks to send bills to Gov. Tim Pawlenty and revise any work should he veto any proposals. We believe this is a solid timeline. We understand that the governor may not agree with everything that comes across his desk. But we also hope he is willing to compromise, work together, and use his veto pen sparingly. With a $6.4 billion budget deficit, a worsening economy, and the highest unemployment rates in almost 30 years, this is no time for political posturing. We need a leader who will come with us in making the tough, sometimes unpopular decisions that will position Minnesota to recover from this recession and find success in the near future.

It’s very important for all Minnesotans to be involved with this process as we come down to the wire. Please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime at sen.dan.sparks@senate.mn; (651) 296-9248; or Room 317 State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155.

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, is the state senator for District 27.