Tag: 2019 Minnesota State budget

Minnesota Legislature passes $48B budget in special session

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Legislature ended its special session Saturday after approving a $48 billion budget to fund state government for the next two years.

The House and Senate pulled an all-nighter to pass their budget bills and adjourned around 7 a.m., finishing the one-day gathering close to the deadline set by Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders. The House Republican minority did not carry out its threat use procedural roadblocks to drag out the proceedings until Sunday.

Democrats proclaimed the special session and the nearly five-month regular session that preceded it a success, given the difficulties of resolving fundamental differences on taxes, spending and policy between the Democratic-controlled House and the Senate’s Republican majority. The compromise budget will spend about 6% more than the current budget, which expires at the end of June.

View the complete May 25 article by Steve Karnowski on the Associated Press website here.

Minnesota House of Representatives Adjourns Special Session, Completes Work on New State Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — This morning, the Minnesota House of Representatives finished its work on a new two-year budget for the State of Minnesota during a one-day special session.

“We’re pleased to have completed our work on a budget that provides strong funding for education and secures health care for more than one million Minnesotans,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “While this budget doesn’t contain everything DFLers wanted, coming to this bipartisan agreement with Governor Walz and Senate Republicans is in the best interest of Minnesotans.”

Top highlights of the budget include:

    • Securing health care for 1.2 million Minnesotans by continuing the provider tax

    • Increasing funding for E-12 and higher education, including an increase in the E-12 funding formula, preserving 4,000 pre-K slots, and freezing the special education cross subsidy

Continue reading “Minnesota House of Representatives Adjourns Special Session, Completes Work on New State Budget”

Minnesota House Approves Final State Government Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota House approved the State Government, Elections, and Veterans & Military Affairs budget bill. The bill keeps voters’ political party private when voting in primaries, invests in Minnesota’s cyber security, and appropriates the full $6.6 million in federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding to secure Minnesota’s elections.

“Minnesotans have set the bar high when it comes to civic engagement. This budget lives up to that high standard, investing in election accessibility and security to make sure that every voice is counted, and that Minnesotans’ privacy is preserved,” said State Government Chair Michael Nelson (DFL – Brooklyn Park).

Minnesota is increasingly likely to experience cyber security threats. In addition to $20 million over four years for state cyber security improvements, the budget includes Chair Nelson’s provision to unlock $6.6 million in federal funding to support state efforts in securing election infrastructure against cyber threats. Though all 49 other states appropriated the funding right away and it passed off the Minnesota House floor with a major bipartisan vote of 105-23, Senate Republicans did not agree to appropriate the full funding until the special session. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves Final State Government Budget”

Minnesota House approves new Health and Human Services Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Early Saturday morning, the Minnesota House approved the final, bipartisan compromise version of the Omnibus Health and Human Services budget that protects health care for Minnesotans, including the funding for 1.2 million people’s health care.

“House DFLers have worked all session to ensure all Minnesotans can get the health care they need for a price they can afford. This budget protects health care for more than a million Minnesotans,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), Chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division. “Senate Republicans blocked very important initiatives to strengthen health care in Minnesota, including provisions to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. I remain committed to solutions to decrease cost, increase access, and improve the health of Minnesotans.”

Facing a June 30, 2019 sunset, House DFLers were successful in maintaining the funding stream for the state’s Health Care Access Fund. This revenue – a tax on health care services enacted 27 years ago – has funded MinnesotaCare, Medical Assistance, and other health programs. House DFLers were also successful in maintaining dental and vision coverage for low-income Minnesotans, and the budget makes the first increase in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) in 33 years. Continue reading “Minnesota House approves new Health and Human Services Budget”

House Passes Bipartisan Tax Bill

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The Minnesota House today passed a bipartisan tax bill that includes House DFL measures to maintain funding for the Health Care Access Fund, double the standard deduction, cut taxes for working families and Social Security recipients, increase Local Government Aid, and cut property taxes for farmers and small businesses. The bill will bring Minnesota into federal tax conformity.

“This tax bill provides significant tax cuts for hard working Minnesotans who struggle to raise a family, pick up their prescriptions, pay off student loans, make the property tax payment, or afford the basic necessities that allow them to thrive,” said Tax Committee Chair Paul Marquart (DFL – Dilworth). “This bipartisan compromise creates a fairer tax system that invests in families, seniors, farmers, and small businesses.”

The tax bill cuts income tax rates for the first time in two decades and doubles the standard deduction to $24,400. These provisions will cut taxes for lower- and middle-income earners while greatly simplifying the tax filing process. About 93% of Minnesota taxpayers will now take the standard deduction that will result in a 7% tax cut for the median family income. Continue reading “House Passes Bipartisan Tax Bill”

Minnesota House Approves cCompromise Public Safety and Judiciary Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House approved the final version of the Omnibus Public Safety and Judiciary Finance bill early Saturday morning. The budget includes $125 million in new investments in the courts, correctional facilities, criminal apprehension, human rights protections and many other areas to keep Minnesotans safe and ensure they have access to justice.

Unfortunately, Senate Republicans blocked a pair of initiatives to curb senseless gun violence this session. Despite the support of as many as 90 percent of Minnesotans, Republicans refused to establish “red flag” laws and expand criminal background checks for firearm purchases. House DFLers remain committed to preventing gun violence and keeping Minnesotans safe at school, at work, while worshiping, or anywhere else in their communities.

“This session, through a community-centered lens, we’ve heard from many Minnesotans about the impact of our criminal justice system, and have highlighted numerous ways in which we can reimagine public safety in our state. I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface in these efforts,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani, Chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division. “There’s still a great deal of work to do, especially regarding senseless gun violence, the need to decriminalize poverty and fixing the flaws in our probation system. The work on these and other issues is not over as we build a safer, more just state.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves cCompromise Public Safety and Judiciary Budget”

Minnesota House Approves Environment and Natural Resources Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Yesterday, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved a new environment and natural resources budget. The legislation includes appropriations from the General Fund and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

“Minnesotans know our state is a special place to live and want it to remain that way for years to come,” said Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul), Chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division. “They’re proud of our state’s natural beauty and abundant resources and expect us to protect our environment for future generations of Minnesotans.”

The new budget contains innovative, problem-solving solutions to address long-term environmental issues. A comprehensive plan to help stop the outbreak of chronic wasting disease (CWD) provides new funding for disease management and research to develop a better diagnostic test. It establishes an adopt-a-dumpster program that would help hunters dispose of carcasses safely. The plan includes requirements to reduce contact between captive and wild deer. It strengthens responses to outbreaks and prevents them from occurring in the first place through increased inspections and enforcement for deer farms. The budget also supports efforts to halt the spread of aquatic invasive species and helps communities address emerald ash borer issues. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves Environment and Natural Resources Budget”

Minnesota House Approves New Budget for Transportation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Yesterday, the Minnesota House approved a new Transportation budget.

“Senate Republicans blocked revenue to fund transportation projects, which would have delivered sustainable, dedicated and long-term funding to build a modern transportation system that people and employers are asking for,” said Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL – Minneapolis), Chair of the House Transportation Finance Committee.

“This bill maintains the status quo in a time when transportation investments are desperately needed. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that transportation is about people. It’s about these workers and their families. It’s about Minnesotans getting to their jobs, school, and families safely and efficiently on modern roads and transit systems built for the 21st century. We have more work to do for the people of Minnesota.”

Republicans blocked any proposals to raise new constitutionally dedicated funding for our roads and bridges, and the needed funding for transit. As a result, Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure will continue to deteriorate. The American Society of Civil Engineers rated Minnesota’s roads as, “D+” on their most recent infrastructure report card. Bridges received a “C” and transit was awarded a “C-.”

House Democrats fought for permanent, sustainable, on-going, and dedicated funding for transportation that meets the needs of a growing state. Strong investments in transit remain a priority for the House DFL, despite Republican’s firm opposition to any increased revenue for transportation.

The bill can be found here and the spreadsheet can be found here.

Minnesota House Expected to Approve Jobs and Energy Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House was expected to approve a new Jobs and Energy budget April 24 (HF 2208). It includes major House DFL priorities such as giving every Minnesotan access to Paid Family and Medical Leave and Earned Sick and Safe Time. Both priorities are inspired by Minnesotans who have told the Legislature that they are being forced to choose between earning a paycheck or caring for a family member, or themselves.

“We’re working to ensure Minnesotans have access to jobs with wages and benefits that can support a family,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “The Minnesota House DFL budget will improve economic security, strengthen our growing clean energy economy, and begin to address climate change in Minnesota.”

The House DFL Jobs and Energy budget includes tougher protections against wage theft. With 39,000 Minnesotans experiencing wage theft in some form every year, the budget would protect wages and hold employers who take advantage of workers accountable. Continue reading “Minnesota House Expected to Approve Jobs and Energy Budget”