Saint Paul, Minn. — Earlier today, the Minnesota House of Representatives finished approving a new two-year state budget and adjourned sine die. The Minnesota House, controlled by Democrats, and the Minnesota Senate, controlled by Republicans, convened for a special session on June 14th to finalize a bipartisan budget agreement for the next two years.
“Despite being the only divided state legislature in the nation, we were able to show that meaningful, bipartisan proposals can still be enacted in today’s political climate when we hunker down and work together,” said Rep. Dan Wolgamott (DFL - St. Cloud), who served as an Assistant Majority Leader this year. “Through negotiations with the Senate and Governor Walz, we were able to deliver a well-rounded state budget that helps St. Cloud bounce back from the struggles of the past year, delivers the resources Minnesotans deserve, and sets up a safe and orderly end to the COVID-19 peacetime emergency. The nature of compromise leaves some important proposals on the cutting room floor, but I’m looking forward to heading back to St. Cloud and continuing the work of building around our priorities this interim.”
House Democrats are proud to have secured many investments in families, workers, students, and small businesses who’ve been hit hardest by the pandemic, including:
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A historic increase in funding for public schools and preservation of all day pre-K for 4,000 preschoolers
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Financial support for frontline workers who sacrificed their health to keep all of us safe during the pandemic
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Investments in access to affordable child care for families and increased funding for providers
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Rental assistance for tenants and landlords and expanded access to affordable housing
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Tax cuts for workers and small businesses impacted by the pandemic
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Investments to improve public health and reduce racial disparities in health care
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State aid for small businesses damaged during last year’s civil unrest
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Investments in transit, roads, bridges, and rail
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Substantial reforms to sexual assault laws to bring justice to survivors
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Measures to reform policing and increase accountability
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Investments in families who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness
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Delivering an overdue pay raise for personal care attendants and additional support for home and community-based services to help people live independently
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Substantial investments to reduce racial disparities and improve equity
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Funding for the Market Bucks program to provide healthy and affordable farmers’ market produce to SNAP/EBT users
As a result of a bipartisan deal to end Governor Walz’s emergency powers today, July 1. The Legislature will not convene for a July special session or continue meeting monthly as it has done since the pandemic began.