Minnesota Legislature
Week in Review: April 21-25
By Lisa Kaczke
Coming back from a weeklong Easter/Passover break, work picked up in the House this week as the May 19 constitutional deadline to finish session inches closer.
The House Ways and Means Committee reviewed omnibus finance bills throughout the week. Deals were reached on several outstanding budgets, and the committee amended the vehicle bill for energy with its budget this week. The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee amended its vehicle bill with a budget deal and that bill is now on its way to the House Ways and Means Committee for review. On Friday, legislators were still negotiating budgets for education, health and workforce.
The omnibus agriculture finance bill was the first to pass the House Thursday. The legacy and judiciary/public safety bills passed Friday, as did the omnibus public safety policy bill.
But to start the week, the House paid tribute to the late Rep. Mary Murphy that included stories about the House’s longest-serving woman at 23 terms and passed a bill to rename the library grant program in her honor.
Recent Dailies
Committee approves $3.9 million election finance bill
By Brian Basham
Future state elections could boast tighter cybersecurity and more dependability, giving Minnesotans better public confidence in the election system.
In a quick, all-in-one m...
House lawmakers eye tax on social media companies for collecting Minnesotans' data
By Rob Hubbard
When looking at the business model for companies specializing in social media, it might be helpful to steer away from the idea that you’re a “customer” in any conventional sense...
Omnibus veterans, military affairs bill proposes small spending increase
By Mike Cook
With a minimal biennial budget target increase, potential spending bumps for the Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs departments are few.
And there are a couple of cuts.
...
Minnesota public safety officials warn of potential cuts under proposed budget
By Tim Walker
At $50 million, the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee has the second highest committee target set by House leaders for budget increases.
But at the same time,...
$2.14 billion funding bill aims to boost child welfare, early childhood programs
By Todd Abeln
A proposed $2.14 billion omnibus children and families finance bill would fund a child welfare system IT upgrade, early childhood education scholarships, and food insecurity and...
Housing panel advances budget bill with $75 million funding increase, focus on affordability
By Margaret Stevens
Rep. Spencer Igo (R-Wabana Township) said everyone involved with the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee can be proud of the budget bill they ultimately produced.
I...
Judiciary committee considers $1.43 billion budget bill for 2026-27 biennium
By Tim Walker
The omnibus judiciary finance bill would fund the courts, civil legal services, Guardian ad Litem Board, Tax Court, Uniform Laws Commission, Board on Judicial Standards, Board o...
Fire, emergency medical services could see state aid bump
By Rob Hubbard
When a big boost in state funding was sent to cities and counties in 2023, it was hailed by local leaders as something that would at last provide some relief to residents who ha...
$45 million increase proposed in state government spending bill
By Mike Cook
The omnibus state government finance bill contains $1.35 billion in spending for the 2026-27 biennium, a $45 million increase over February’s forecast base.
“It is a balance...
Lawmaker proposes $1 million for ‘Fresh Bucks’ program to expand access to fruits, vegetables
By Margaret Stevens
Building on the success of the well-regarded "Market Bucks" program, a bipartisan bill aims to expand access to fresh, nutritious food for Minnesotans participating in the Suppl...
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Ways and Means Committee OKs House budget resolution
By Mike Cook
Total net General Fund expenditures in the 2026-27 biennium will not exceed a hair less than $66.62 billion.
That is the budget resolution approved Tuesday by the House Ways...
Minnesota's budget outlook worsens in both near, long term
By Rob Hubbard
It looks as if those calling for less state spending could get their wish, judging from Thursday’s release of the February 2025 Budget and Economic Forecast.
A state su...
