Minnesota Legislature
House leaders release committee budget targets
By Mike Cook
With all session committee deadlines less than two weeks away, House leaders announced an agreement Saturday on committee finance targets while crafting a spending plan for the 2026-27 biennium.
The agreement calls for an almost $1.16 billion reduction in General Fund spending, including $300 million in human services and $50 million in both health and workforce.
“Working in a bipartisan fashion, Democrats and Republicans in the Minnesota House were able to agree on a budget framework that responsibly slows expenditures in areas that are growing faster than the rate of inflation. This is a responsible approach that ensures budget stability now and into the future, helping to avoid dramatic cuts to essential services down the road,” Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) said in a statement. He and Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) co-chair the House Ways and Means Committee.
Recent Dailies
House lawmakers consider making giant beaver Minnesota's state fossil
By Mike Cook
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Each is among 20 state symbols in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
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Bill would give counties a boost in dealing with waste
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DHS policy bill, anti-kickback measures discussed in committee
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Illegal immigration is currently a top issue in Washington, D.C.
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Legislation to encourage construction of ‘missing middle’ housing gets committee approval
By Margaret Stevens
There's an old adage in real estate: "They ain't making any more land."
Faced with this reality, state legislators aiming to add thousands of more affordable homes to Minnes...
Regional food bank grant fund aims to help ‘backbone of the ecosystem’
By Todd Abeln Where does the food come from at the local food shelf? Besides community donations, most is provided by the six regional food banks throughout the state that purchase, deliv...Committee advances bill targeting state’s greenhouse gas emissions targets
By Rob Hubbard The old reminder, “safety first,” might be placed into statute. An assemblage of multiple changes to how the state assesses and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions for some t...Rent tax credit expansion proposed for nonprofit child care centers
By Rob Hubbard
In 2023, Minnesota launched the “renter’s credit,” which isn’t really a tax credit, but a property tax refund for those who pay rent, rather than own their home. It gives renter...
House leaders look ahead to bipartisan work in tied chamber
By Lisa Kaczke
Now that the District 40B special election is over, DFL and Republican leaders are focused on the bipartisan work ahead in a chamber with a 67-67 tie.
Beginning next week, D...
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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...
Full House convenes for first time in 2025, elects Demuth speaker
By Tim Walker
DFL, Republicans convene with a quorum for the first time in 2025 session after agreeing to a power-sharing deal.
