AARP REQUESTS VETO OF AGRICULTURE BUDGET BILL

St. Paul --AARP today asked Governor Dayton to veto a now infamous Agriculture budget bill (HF 1437) that was amended and passed in the final seconds of the legislative session. During the closing seconds of session a 70 page amendment, mostly containing non-related policy items, was added and approved without debate as the House floor devolved into chaos.

AARP specifically objects to several provisions included in the legislation which make it easier for utility companies to increase customer rates, limit the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) ability to set utility rates, and allow for utilities to lock in rate increases for 5 consecutive years, whereas current law only allows for 2 year rate cases.

AARP Minnesota State Director Will Phillips issued the following statement on the bill:

“If Minnesota wants to remain a state that cares about preventing out of control price hikes for customers, preserving the ability of the PUC to protect consumers and protecting the integrity of state government, then this bill should be vetoed.

“If the will of the legislature truly is to put utility price increases on autopilot and lock in cost increases for Minnesota families, then it should be fully debated and passed in the light of day.”

The full text of AARP’s veto request is available at: http://wp.me/p2ZEti-iyJ

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