King Banaian

A two-day conference that gives the economic outlook of central Minnesota enters it's 51st year when it gets underway tomorrow.

Most workers will still be paying more in taxes, despite the bill passed by Congress that staves off the "fiscal cliff". That's because the budget deal, which averts widespread income tax increases, does nothing to stop the Social Security tax increase. That means a $1,000 tax increase for someone making $50,000 a year.

The job impact on the closing of the Verso Paper Mill in Sartell will be far more reaching than just the plants workers. St. Cloud State University economist King Banaian says the 259 jobs lost this week, combined with the 175 jobs that were cut at the plant last December, will result in about 680 job losses region-wide.

The Vikings Stadium bill will be voted on by the full House on Monday. State Representative King Banaian of St. Cloud says he doesn't support the bill as it's written now.

St. Cloud lawmakers say they are disappointed money for the River's Edge Convention Center has been left out of the bonding bill. State Representative King Banaian says St. Cloud was promised that money.

Two St. Cloud lawmakers are skeptical of the Vikings stadium proposal that was unveiled yesterday (Thursday). The plan backed by Governor Mark Dayton, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and the Vikings owners would build a $975 million stadium near the site of the Metrodome. The state would pay for it's portion with electronic pull tabs.

If you have questions about what's happening at the State Capitol, State Senator John Pederson and State Representative King Banaian are hosting a Town Hall meeting today (Friday).

The Republican controlled House and Senate are considering putting a number of constitutional amendment questions on the November ballot. However, Republican Representative King Banaian of St. Cloud is not so sure that's a good idea.

Minnesota lawmakers are floating the idea of eliminating payouts to state workers for unused sick and vacation time. Republican State Representative King Banaian is also a state employee -- he's a professor at St. Cloud State University. He says that benefit should not be eliminated.

Minnesota lawmakers got an early Christmas present today (Thursday), a budget forecast of an estimated $876 million surplus for the rest of this two-year budget.