Minnesota House DFL leaders and legislators released the framework and targets for their budget proposal today. The budget includes significant investments in education and prioritizes assisting those impacted by COVID-19.
“The pandemic has been difficult for everyone, but some Minnesotans have been hit harder than others. Our budget will focus on helping those most impacted by COVID — students, workers, families, and small businesses,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “We have to help Minnesotans recover from the pandemic and then thrive once it’s behind us. Together, we have to ensure that Minnesota is a state where everyone has economic security and opportunities to succeed.”
The budget includes:
- Significant increases in funding for E-12 education and child care, making new investments after a difficult year of remote learning.
- Support for those who have been most impacted by COVID-19: students, families, and small businesses.
- Investments to improve economic security, including paid family leave, earned sick and safe time, affordable housing, and worker protection and support.
- Progressive, sustainable revenue into the future to make ongoing investments.
“Minnesotans are tired of seeing the rich and well-connected do better and better while workers and families can’t get ahead. Big corporations and the richest Minnesotans have seen their wealth soar during the pandemic, while so many others have struggled worse than ever,” said Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “President Biden's rescue plan is exactly what Minnesotans need now, but in the long run Minnesota must invest more in health and education or we will fall behind.”
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our entire state, but the hardship hasn’t been felt equally. To pull through this crisis, we must prioritize those among us who have borne the worst brunt of the crisis, including students, workers, and small businesses,” said Rep. Rena Moran, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “While we’re nearing the end of the pandemic, the struggles too many Minnesotans face will continue unless lawmakers take deliberate action to help end them. Through bold investments in education, child care, health, housing, and economic security, House DFLers are working to deliver a hopeful, strong future for everybody in our state.”
“In developing this budget outline, House DFLers are recognizing the tremendous challenges Minnesotans have experienced over the past year, and investing in our state’s resiliency to help our students, workers, small businesses, and families recover,” said Rep. Liz Olson, House Deputy Majority Leader. “COVID-19 is just one chapter in our state’s story, and as we look beyond the pandemic, our budget lays the groundwork for everyone in our state to once again have the opportunity to succeed, no matter where they live or what they look like.”
“As the chair of the Education Finance Committee, and a parent myself, it’s important for us to be thinking carefully about strategic investments that put our students first,” said Rep. Jim Davnie, House Education Finance Chair. “The measures and steps we can take now will help our kids bounce back more quickly from the pandemic, academically and emotionally and be better prepared for their future.”
House DFL Committee Targets
- Education: $20.810 billion. $721.7 million increase from base
- Early Childhood: $715.785 million. $50 million increase from base
- Higher Education: $3.526 billion. $120 million increase from base
- Housing: $145.596 million. $30 million increase from base
- Workforce & Business Development: $285.322 million. $56.992 million increase from base
- Labor, Industry, Veterans & Military Affairs: $245.645 million. $21.935 million increase from base
- Industrial Education & Economic Development: $65.868 million. $60 million increase from base
- Health & Human Services: $16.247 billion. $323 million increase from base.
- Agriculture: $138.820 million. $11.574 million increase from base
- Environment: $372.663 million. $40.675 million increase from base
- Public Safety: $1.574 billion. $71.069 million increase from base
- Judiciary: $1.084 billion. $49.009 million increase from base
- Climate & Energy: $29.846 million. $5.5 million increase from base
- Transportation: $289.164 million. $39.612 million increase from base
- State Government: $994.663 million. $35.456 million increase from base
- Capital Investment: $1.653 billion. $73.573 million increase from base
- Commerce: $45.024 million. $1.3 million increase from base
- Tax Aids & Credits: $4.164 billion. $0 change from base