Deadlines
Today marks the second deadline at the Legislature, which requires committees to act favorably on bills or companions of bills that met the first deadline in the other body. It is just the latest sign that we are moving quickly through the session, and brings us closer to creating a responsible and balanced budget. With our legislative recess coming at the end of next week, we are officially at the halfway point through the 2021 Legislative Session.
Our third deadline comes on April 9, by which point we will need to pass major finance and appropriation bills. These are the bills that fund the core areas of our budget – like education, health and human services, and transportation. The pace of our work will only pick up, as we get this budget together before our adjournment in May. While we still have a ways to go, I remain optimistic that my colleagues and I will come together to make sure the final budget we pass reflects our values and is focused on helping Minnesotans get through this pandemic and recover.
Budget
Minnesota’s economic outlook has come a long way since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when state economists forecast major budget deficits for the state. Thankfully, through our progress against this virus, and thanks to state and federal aid, our economic outlook continues to improve.
We will also be receiving an influx of additional aid thanks to the latest federal relief bill, which will deliver approximately $4.9 billion in funding for COVID-19 related expenses. This aid will be a major boost at the local, county, and state level. However, it is largely one-time funding that can only be used for COVID-19 related expenses. We must make sure this aid, as well as the final budget we create is focused on helping those that have been hardest hit by the pandemic.
Following a significant change in the state’s fiscal outlook in the February 2021 budget forecast, Governor Walz has released a revised budget proposal. While this is only a proposal, and does not take into account the latest federal aid, it does give guidance to the Legislature on where his priorities are. It is only a proposal, and it is up to us in the Senate and the House to do the work of creating the actual budget for the state.
Vaccines now available to all VA-enrolled Veterans
If you are a veteran, please enroll with the VA and get your vaccine. If you know a veteran, please share this information with them.
If you have any questions or wish to unsubscribe from this Newsletter please feel free to contact my office at 651-296-2556 or by email at sen.jerry.newton@senate.mn.
Thank you and have a great weekend,
Jerry Newton
State Senator
District 37