ST. PAUL, MN—On Friday, the Minnesota House of Representatives concluded the special session, passing the final bills that comprise the 2018-2019 biennium budget. In all, the House passed seven bills during special session: Taxes, Transportation, State Government, Health and Human Services, K-12 Education, Bonding, and Labor Standards.
“Tax relief and transportation funding were two of the biggest areas of need in our state, and we were able to work together and come to a bipartisan compromise on both of these issues,” said Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea. “Our bipartisan budget puts Minnesotans first, and will go to help residents in our area and around the state.”
The Republican-led tax bill will mean more than $650 million in tax relief—the largest tax cut in nearly two decades—for Minnesota families in the 2018-2019 biennium and three-quarters of a billion dollars in tax relief in the 2020-2021 biennium. It includes relief for seniors on social security, college graduates with student loan debt, and property tax relief for farmers and Minnesota businesses. In addition, Republicans championed and the legislature approved the largest investment in road and bridge infrastructure in a state history without an increase in the gas tax or license tab fees.
The legislature also passed an education funding bill to invest $1.3 billion more in Minnesota schools. Included in this bill were needed reforms to teacher licensure and teacher layoffs.
“I’m proud to increase funding for Minnesota schools, and help our learners by putting and keeping the best teachers in our classrooms,” said Bennett. “This is so vitally important for our future, and I’m glad we made it a priority this session.”
During regular session, the legislature passed budget bills for Public Safety, Higher Education, Jobs & Energy Affordability, Agriculture, and Environment and Natural Resources. Altogether, the legislature is sending ten budget bills, a $995 million bonding bill, and a labor standards bill to the governor’s desk for his signature.
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