Tag: Senate DFL

Senate DFL Week in Review: February 28, 2019

WEEK EIGHT: February 28, 2019

Image

February budget forecast is released

The big news this week was the release of the February budget forecast which sets the terms of debate for the two-year budget. The forecast projects how much money the state is likely to have for the upcoming biennium. Minnesota Management and Budget estimates a $1 billion budgetary balance which is $492 million less than the November 2018 forecast. It’s important to be cautious when the state’s budget balance decreases and diligent in working to balance any new investments with additional revenue.

In other notable action, after numerous delays and vigorous debate on the Senate floor, only $1.5 million of the $6.6 million in Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds passed the Minnesota Senate. Minnesota was the only state in the nation that did not pass full federal funding to strengthen election security. Full funding for HAVA passed in the House on February 21, on a bipartisan vote of 105-23. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: February 28, 2019”

Senate DFL Week in Review: February 21, 2019

WEEK SEVEN: February 21, 2019

Budget negotiations begin, committees continue, and HAVA stalls

Week seven of the 2019 session was dominated by the news of Gov. Walz releasing his budget blueprint for the next two-year biennium. He focused his budget on the shared priorities of all Minnesotans: providing a high-quality education for all kids regardless of their race or zip code, providing access to quality health care at a price people can afford, making sure every community thrives across Minnesota, investing in the state’s crumbling infrastructure which is putting Minnesotans’ public safety at risk, and providing tax relief for all Minnesotans.

Committees were also busy. The electronic monitoring bill moved to the floor, the Taylor Hayden Gun Violence Prevention Act was heard, legislation on opioids moved through another committee, Regent recommendations were made, a bill to establish special taxing districts for fire departments was heard, the Help America Vote Act, MNLARs and MnPass were discussed, electric vehicle surcharges were heard in Transportation, and a number of veterans’ bills were considered – to name a few. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: February 21, 2019”

Senate DFLers Support Walz Budget for One Minnesota

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota Senate DFL Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, Assistant Senate DFL Leader Susan Kent, DFL-Woodbury, and Senator Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, praised Governor Walz today for making historic investments in Minnesotans’ top priorities.

“This budget is a good step to ensure communities are thriving across Minnesota,” said Bakk. “Investments in transportation, education, health care, and broadband are essential to the success of cities and counties not just in the Arrowhead region, but everywhere. I’m especially glad to see Gov. Walz provide workforce training and development programs to help Minnesota students have the opportunity to get good-paying jobs and support their families.”

“I appreciate Gov. Walz’s commitment to making Minnesota the ‘Education State’,” said Kent, who serves on the Senate E-12 Finance and Policy Committee. “We know too often the quality of a student’s education is dependent on their race or zip code. This budget takes a holistic approach to improve our students’ success: not just increasing the formula, but supporting students experiencing homelessness and providing training and assistance for teachers and administrators.” Continue reading “Senate DFLers Support Walz Budget for One Minnesota”

Senate DFL Week in Review: February 14, 2019


Minnesota Senate abuzz with events and committee hearings

It was another busy week in the Senate with several press conferences, including the announcement of the Increase Teachers of Color Act and African American Family Preservation Act, a joint Senate and House press conference on Chronic Wasting Disease, one on public safety, and another on college affordability. Other topics covered in press conferences held this week include protecting net neutrality, a ban on conversion therapy, and a memorial in honor of the one-year anniversary of the Parkland school shooting. Legislative leaders and Governor Tim Walz also laid out a new set of deadlines that they say will help in achieving an orderly end to the legislative session.

With the first committee deadline only four weeks away, committee schedules ramped up and heard more high-profile bills such as opioid reforms, elderly abuse, school safety, and firefighter PTSD legislation. The Office of Legislative Auditor also released their MNLARS report this week.

One of the main jobs of the 2019 session is passing a two-year budget. Gov. Walz is expected to announce his budget proposal on Feb. 19 and lawmakers will receive the February budget forecast on Feb. 28. This information will frame the basis of formulating the state’s two-year budget. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: February 14, 2019”

Minnesota Senate Week in Review: Week Five, February 7, 2019

WEEK FIVE: February 7, 2019

Committee work in full swing at the Senate, committee deadlines released

It’s been a busy week at the Capitol with committees in full swing hearing bills including hands-free legislation, electronic monitoring in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, higher education capital investment needs, and requiring a personal finance course to graduate from high school.

There were also a number of press conferences held this week, kicking off with the 100% clean energy press conference, a discussion on wage theft, the announcement of a new United Black Legislative Caucus, and a press conference on tax filing. MN Second Chance also held a press conference and the Joint Religious Legislative Council (JRLC) held their Day on the Hill. Continue reading “Minnesota Senate Week in Review: Week Five, February 7, 2019”

Senate DFL Week in review: January 31, 2019

Minnesota Senate continues work in spite of cold weather

Week four of the 2019 Legislative Session kicked off with a joint Senate and House press conference on the legalization of recreational cannabis. The issue of cannabis legalization is one that is moving fast around the country. Their goal is to secure a legislative hearing and to begin the discussion on this issue.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue started accepting tax returns on Monday, Jan. 28. The deadline for filing taxes is April 15. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in review: January 31, 2019”

Senate DFL 2019 Session Preview

The 2019 legislative session kicks off January 8 with a new DFL governor, a new DFL House majority, and Republicans leading the Senate. While there will always be intense emotions surrounding policy and politics, the Senate DFL is committed to keeping Minnesota on the right track and defending what DFLers have accomplished with Gov. Dayton.

State budget officials projected a $1.54 billion budgetary balance for the upcoming two-year budget cycle, but nearly half of this balance is only available for one-time spending and experts are predicting a slowing economy in the near future. It is more important now than ever to recognize that any new spending and tax cuts must be balanced. Protecting the state’s finances from future instability is the prudent choice as we anticipate slower economic growth ahead.

In our work setting a new two-year budget, Senate DFLers are committed to building the state all Minnesotans deserve with high-quality education, affordable and accessible health care, and increasing support for working families. Here are some of the many issues we expect to work on in 2019:

  • Bringing down the cost of health care: Many Senate DFLers believe one way to accomplish this is to allow Minnesotans to “buy in” to the existing MinnesotaCare program. MinnesotaCare is a successful bipartisan program created more than 20 years ago. Since 1992, MinnesotaCare has offered high-quality, lower-cost health coverage for more than 100,000 Minnesotans who meet income eligibility requirements. The MinnesotaCare Buy-In is a cost-effective solution because the program would be funded by the premiums of those who buy coverage and would require no ongoing costs for Minnesota taxpayers. This is a smart investment that would give our fellow Minnesotans more options for high-quality, affordable health care at clinics and hospitals across the state.
  • Paid family leave and affordable child care: Working families deserve a chance to succeed, and paid leave is a fair, commonsense solution to help Minnesota workers take care of themselves and their families. We must also find ways to make high-quality child care more affordable and accessible to all Minnesota families. The Senate DFL is hopeful businesses, families, and care providers will work together to find solutions to benefit all Minnesotans.
  • Tax conformity: State lawmakers historically have revised state tax law to align with federal policy, but Minnesota lawmakers were unable to reach a deal earlier this year to dovetail with the huge federal tax bill passed last year by President Trump and Congress. Since the state’s tax code does not align with federal codes, it will cause confusion come tax filing season. The Senate DFL is committed to passing a version of tax conformity that does not jeopardize long-term fiscal stability for the sake of short-term benefits.
  • Stable funding for transportation: Minnesota keeps falling further behind in providing stable investments in our roads, bridges, and transit systems. One-time money and bonding (borrowing) for projects are not sustainable – we need a long-term solution. Governor-elect Tim Walz and numerous legislators continue to express support for raising Minnesota’s gas tax to better address the state’s infrastructure needs; the gas tax was last increased in 2008. Republicans have been outspoken in their opposition to gas tax increases but as recently as 2015 indicated an interest in reforming tab fees to increase transportation revenue. On transit, a sales tax in the Twin Cities metro area will not only balance the structural deficit Metro Transit faces due to increased use of Metro Mobility services, but will also allow the system to expand to accommodate a growing population.

Looking ahead, we will begin the 2019 session by gathering information from state agencies and listening to the priorities of our constituents. DFL senators will fight for economic policies and programs that improve the lives and incomes for all Minnesotans – no matter where they live in the state. Our policies will not pit Minnesotans nor regions against one another. DFL senators welcome the opportunity to work with Governor-elect Walz, the House DFL majority, and Senate Republicans to pass a structurally balanced budget with fiscal stability.

Legislators will look for ways to help farmers facing challenging economic conditions.

Legislators may attempt to appropriate $98 million in GO Bonds instead of relying on funding from the environment and natural resources trust fund to pay off the bonds.

The committee will continue to work on consumer protection and fraud prevention.

The forecast looks favorable and with the budget bill veto last session, there will be a push for increased formula funding.

There may be some consensus around some items, including a few of those vetoed last year in the omnibus finance bill, such as energy storage proposals and grants to school districts for solar energy.

There likely will be many items left over from last year that can gain bipartisan approval, if they are not packaged as they were last session in a mega-omnibus bill.

With a DFL-controlled House, it is likely that prospects for passing legislation like the Opioid Stewardship Program and reforms in elder care have improved, given the difficulties both pieces of legislation faced in the House last year.

Expect discussion again about the regent selection process and more robust funding for higher education to promote success. Student debt, campus assault, teachers of color recruitment, and workforce needs will also likely be discussed outside of the budget hearings.

A tightening labor market is the main challenges the business community is talking about relative to this budget area.

Expect early hearings on prison safety, along with a substantial budget item from Governor-elect Walz.

The House DFL majority will likely support expanded access to voting and investments in election security, which may increase the pressure on the Senate Republican majority to move forward on reforms.

Although tax conformity will be a key priority this session, it may not happen immediately.

Further scrutiny of MNLARS funding and development should be expected, as well as ongoing clash over use of general fund dollars versus increased revenue for road and bridge funding.

2019 is a budget year, which means the Departments of Military and Veterans Affairs will likely seek additional funding. There will be continued discussion on shoring up incentive accounts due to changes in the federal budget. The Legislature may also see discussion around building new or expanding current veterans’ homes, as well as expanding tax credits for veterans.

Senate DFL Week in Review: April 27, 2018

WEEK NINE:  April 27, 2018

Tick Tock – time is running out

The Legislature faces a May 21 constitutional deadline to complete its work, meaning just three short weeks remain to hold public discussion on sweeping proposals that will impact nearly every Minnesotan in one form or another. As a result of Republicans’ decision to wait until the last minute to do the job they were elected to do, the public is getting shut out of an important conversation about the state’s collective future.

It took Senate Republicans more than 60 days to pass a first draft of their supplemental budget proposal. There are some good things in this bill, but they are far outweighed by bad things that will hurt Minnesotans. The Senate Republican budget weakens collective bargaining rights, tells teachers what they can and can’t say in their classrooms, and cuts funding from crucial services. The Legislature has a lot of work to do to help build the state all Minnesotans deserve, and the Republicans’ budget doesn’t get there. It contains no real solutions to the collective challenges the state faces. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: April 27, 2018”

Senate Week in Review: April 19, 2018

WEEK EIGHT:  Thursday, April 19, 2018

Legislature running out of time to complete its work

Senate Republicans this week continued to drag their feet on urgent matters before the Legislature, such as preventing a middle-class tax hike, passing a robust jobs bill, and addressing Minnesota’s heartbreaking opioid abuse epidemic. DFL senators are eager to work with Republicans to address these challenges, but there is little to no urgency on the other side of the aisle to complete this important work before a fast-approaching May 21 constitutional deadline. With just four weeks left in the 2018 session, there is no time to waste. If the Republican majority decides to pursue shadowy last-minute backroom deals instead of conducting their work in a manner that is transparent, accountable, and consistent with Minnesotans expectations of their state government, DFL senators will hold them accountable. Continue reading “Senate Week in Review: April 19, 2018”

Senate DFL Week in Review: March 29, 2018

WEEK SIX:  March 29, 2018

Legislative session reaches midpoint

In response to the historic March for Our Lives, DFL senators this week joined high school students and Minnesotans of diverse backgrounds to announce the Senate’s first comprehensive plan to address the epidemic of gun violence in our society. The new plan focuses on three categories: Schools, Research, and Gun Safety. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: March 29, 2018”