Lillie Looks to Zero-Based Budgeting; Less Government

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State Sen. Ted Lillie is backing a bill that would require zero-based budgeting and another piece of legislation that would reduce the state government workforce.

Still, Lillie said these early days of the 2011 Legislature have reminded him of the “art of conversation.”

Lillie, a Republican from Lake Elmo who represents Woodbury in the Senate, said he expects legislation to begin to get passed once the session gets rolling. The bill on state government is aimed at how state offices can share services and determine, “What is the appropriate level of government?” he said.

A House version of the zero-based budgeting bill was backed by both representatives who Woodbury, Andrea Kieffer and Kathy Lohmer.

Lillie said he wants the state to keep its spending in line with last year’s levels and work from the bottom up to determine how to specifically fund certain programs and services. Like his House colleagues, Lillie mentioned the large portion of the budget dedicated to Health and Human Services and said the Legislature must look at “new systems of delivery.”

Kieffer, meanwhile, recently authored her first piece of legislation. While she is listed as a coauthor on several pieces of legislation, she is the chief author of a bill (HF0183) that would require teacher candidates to pass a basic-skills test. Lohmer, also a Republican, is a coauthor on that bill.

For her part, Lohmer has backed a bill (HF0199) that would give Minnesotans more freedom in choosing health care options.