Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2021 Session begins today and we have many issues before us. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Senate District 36 and the State of Minnesota. While we work on handling Covid and vaccine distribution the primary purpose of this year is a budget year. This is when we decide how we spend a majority of our budget for the following two years.
Vaccines will also be distributed over the coming months. In this Newsletter you will find information on Covid resources of all kinds, as well as information on vaccines and priority. Something important I’d like to make clear is that no Vaccine will be mandated, so it is optional once it is available to you.
Also, thank you to everyone who participated in our Toy Drive! It was a massive success thanks to all of those who donated to light up the lives of children.
It is the start of a new year and as always it is a true honor to represent you all of Champlin, Coon Rapids and Brooklyn Park. Reach out if ever you need anything or have questions.
Sincerely,
John
BUDGET
BUDGET RESERVES: Current Budget Reserve balance of $2.377 billion
The Legislature is tasked with passing a two-year operating budget for the state of Minnesota during the 2021 legislative session. The budget will dictate all revenue and spending conducted during Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023. Lawmakers will consider the current budget balance and current spending projections when making these decisions.
While we continue to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, our budget must provide the support necessary to help the millions of Minnesotans who have made tough sacrifices this year.
Budget timeline:
January: Governor’s budget proposal due to Legislature
Early March: February economic forecast released. This will be the base for all spending decisions.
Mid-March: Governor’s supplemental budget due
March – May: House, Senate each pass proposed budgets, meet in conference committee to agree to one budget to present to the Governor for signature.
The Legislature is constitutionally required to adjourn on Monday, May 17, 2021. Fiscal Year 2022 begins July 1, 2021. The Legislature cannot operate without an approved budget, so the new budget must be passed by this date or the government shuts down.
Covid-19 Expenditures
Minnesota has been using a combination of federal funds and state allocations to respond to the pandemic. Minnesotans are able to easily track expenditures on the state’s COVID-19 Checkbookwebsite and find spending updates for each major fund here. These are excellent transparency tools that provide a real-time glance at where state and federal tax dollars are going.
A partial list of additional measures passed by the Legislature between March and June is here.
Unemployment insurance extension
A 13-week extension to UI was passed into law during the December Special Session. The cost associated with these benefits will not trigger a higher experience rating for businesses. Additionally,
$25 million was allocated to help cover the expenses of entities that are reimbursable for employers. The extension will run concurrently with any federal benefits that are granted in any new relief package that is passed into law at the federal level. To file for unemployment benefits, please follow this link.
Thank you!
It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come visit.So come on down, reach out and tell me what matters to you so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn, phone by 651-296-4154 or just stop by. I am at 95 University Avenue Suite 2235 in the Minnesota Senate Building
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call my office at 651-296-4154 or by e-mail at jhoffman@senate.mn
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