Passing Our State Budget

Neighbors, 

Today is the final day of our special session, with the last of our budget bills being passed off the House floor. Early this morning, we passed our State Government, Elections, and Veterans Budget, which I was honored to carry in the House. Like all of our budget bills, it was the product of compromise, with some important provisions left behind, but it’s ultimately a great bill for Minnesotans. 

As our state bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic, our compromise budget fully funds a responsive state government that’s able to meet this moment and assist in our recovery. The budget also protects access to our elections, enforces wage theft laws, and funds resources for the men and women that served our country. 

You can read nonpartisan summaries of all our budget bills and the process to pass them below, thanks to our House Public Information Services. All that’s missing is our Tax bill, which we’re currently debating:

• Higher Education
• Commerce, Climate and Energy
• Agriculture
• Transportation
• Housing
• Jobs and Labor
• Health and Human Services
• Legacy
• Bonding
• Environment and Natural Resources
• E-12 Education
• Public Safety and Judiciary
• State Government, Veterans, and Elections 

An Orderly End to the Peacetime Emergency

More Minnesotans are fully vaccinated, COVID-19 cases are down, and in St. Paul we recently reached a deal with the US Department of Agriculture to continue emergency food assistance, and passed an off-ramp to the eviction moratorium - all components that led to us being able to vote for a safe and orderly end to the COVID-19 peacetime emergency, which had been in place since last March.

Ending the peacetime emergency also ends Governor Waz’s executive orders, and it was in negotiations with the Senate and the Governor that we were able to put together this roadmap that ensured we weren’t just replacing this emergency with a different crisis when it ends. For example, the off-ramp we just passed to the eviction moratorium gives landlords and renters the time and resources they need to be made whole. If you or someone you know has been struggling with rent payments because of the pandemic, I highly encourage you to check out renthelpmn.org. 

Stay Connected

With the end of today’s special session, we’re not scheduled to be back on the House floor until the 2022 legislative session. During the interim, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have about the bills we passed this year, or ideas you may have for our community. You can contact me through email (rep.michael.nelson@house.mn) or phone (651-296-3751). I appreciate hearing from you, and I hope you and your loved ones have a safe and fun 4th of July weekend. 

Sincerely,  

Rep. Michael V. Nelson