ST. PAUL – Today, Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans released the following statement regarding the Minnesota Supreme Court's ruling and Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) resolution:

"Today, the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Governor Dayton’s line item vetoes of the House and Senate biennial appropriations. The Court ruled that even without biennial appropriations, the House and Senate have access to at least $26 million, which is more than adequate to fund their operations and to satisfy their legal obligations until the Legislature reconvenes in February.

The Senate is legally obligated to make monthly lease payments on the Minnesota Senate Building and has the necessary funds available, as determined by the Supreme Court today. Contrary to their legal obligation and the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Legislative Coordinating Commission (LCC) passed a resolution prohibiting the Senate from using LCC funds transferred today to make its monthly lease payments.

One of Minnesota Management and Budget’s important roles is to protect the financial stability of our state.  Consequently, MMB will make the December debt service payment on the Minnesota Senate Building Certificates of Participation from funds the Senate has paid so far this year. Making this debt service payment is important to preserve the state’s high credit ratings, and in the long term directly benefits all Minnesotans by keeping the state’s borrowing costs low. The next debt service payment is not due until June 1, 2018, which gives the Legislature plenty of time during the 2018 Legislative Session to pass a budget that includes funds to pay the Senate’s monthly lease payments."

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Contact: Keith Hovis, Minnesota Management and Budget
Director of Communications
651-259-3666, Keith.Hovis@state.mn.us

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