Greetings,
We are near the halfway point of the 2024 session. Our first and second deadlines for bills to be heard in committee have been met, and our third deadline for finance bills is coming up in 3 weeks.
MAJORITY PROPOSES MORE SPENDING
This week, the majority party and Governor Walz agreed to spend another $500 million on state government programs this session. You’ll recall last session they spent a $17.5 billion surplus, raised taxes and fees on Minnesotans by $10 billion, and grew government by roughly 40%. Their actions also created a projected $1.5 billion budget deficit for Minnesota’s next budget cycle.
I’m not sure where the money is going to come from to pay for the majority’s new $500 million in spending when we are already projected to have a significant revenue shortfall.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM COMPROMISED
Last session, the legislative majority removed an exemption in the Minnesota Human Rights Act that essentially puts religious organizations and faith-based schools at risk. As freedom of religion is a Constitutional right, Republicans have made numerous attempts to restore this language into state law. The majority party has stopped all of them from moving forward.
The end result of their action is that private and religion-based schools, churches and hospitals no longer have the exemption and may be required to do things that are not part of their faith-based mission.
HAPPY EASTER!
Happy Easter to all of you! Here’s hoping you are able to spend time with family and loved ones over the holiday weekend.
Tim