Following Governor Mark Dayton’s vetoes of the omnibus supplemental budget and tax conformity bill, Senator Karin Housley (R-St. Marys Point), chairwoman of the Senate Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee, issued the following statement:

“The governor’s veto of the supplemental budget is disappointing and irresponsible. The bill included new, needed protections for elderly and vulnerable Minnesotans, and his veto puts thousands at risk. Instead of standing with the people of our state, the governor chose to cement his legacy as a chief executive whose administration has been marred by scandal and obstruction.

The elder care provisions included in the bill represented a bipartisan compromise that would have allowed the use of electronic monitoring, strengthened resident protections, better prevented retaliation, prohibited deceptive marketing, and enhanced provider accountability. Unfortunately, the next chance to act won’t be until at least January.

The governor’s ignorance hurts more than just Minnesota seniors. Without the supplemental budget, millions special education and Head Start students, people with disabilities, deputy registrars, farmers and agribusinesses, students, low-income families, and many more are left in the dark.”

Senator Karin Housley is in her second term representing District 39, which includes Stillwater, Lake Elmo, Oak Park Heights, and other communities in Chisago and Washington counties. She serves as chairwoman of the Senate Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee.