Hello from St. Paul,
We have reached the first and second committee deadline in the Minnesota House and Senate. In order for a policy bill to move forward this session, it must have been approved by a committee before today’s deadline. Next Friday is the 3rd committee deadline, when most finance bills need to be approved.
You can just tell things are beginning to ramp up around here, as you can feel the tension among certain lawmakers.
HOUSE BUDGET FRAMEWORK REACHED
With a 67-67 tie in the Minnesota House, bipartisan compromises must be reached in order for anything to move forward. House leaders recently agreed to an overall budget framework that begins to address our looming budget deficit and does so in a way that does not raise taxes.
Minnesota is facing a future budget crisis thanks to tax and spending decisions enacted into law last session by a legislative Democrat majority and Governor Walz. Their choice to spend an $18 billion surplus, raise taxes by more than $10 billion, and grow state government spending by 40% has left Minnesota facing a projected $6 billion budget deficit for the state’s next budget cycle.
The framework reduces state spending by $3.9 billion when compared to the 2024-25 budget and is $1.159 billion below the 2026-27 budget base. For the 2028-2029 projected budget, more than $2.6 billion in spending would be eliminated.
It’s unfortunate we couldn’t go further. It’s clear Minnesota has a spending problem, and revenues can’t keep up with 40% government growth. But a compromise had to be made, and now committee chairs will begin to put the budget puzzle pieces together.
EASTER DISPLAY DESTROYED AT CAPITOL
This is what was left of a cross that had been constructed and placed outside of the State Capitol in anticipation of Easter. A Ten Commandments display also disappeared. Once again, Christianity is attacked.
It’s funny, many of us loudly complained when a satanic display was prominently set up in the Capitol before Christmas, but no one touched it. But when a Christian display goes up, the opposition can’t wait to tear it down.
Speaking of the satanic display, a new one is currently in the Capitol thanking Governor Walz for “not standing in the way of spreading satanism inside the State Capitol Building.”
Unlike the cross, it has not been touched.
GOVERNOR’S NURSING HOME CUTS DISCUSSIONS
I’ve heard from a good number of you who are concerned about Governor Walz’s proposal that would cut $700 million over four years from Minnesota’s nursing homes. Republicans have been fighting for nursing homes for years, and it amazes me that the governor can be this opposed to supporting our rural communities and their needs. Too many facilities have already gone out of business and all the rest of them are struggling financially. I am a strong believer in the unnecessary expansion of government, but government also exists to fund core services such as roads and nursing homes. People worked their entire lives to support Minnesota, and we should have the proper facilities in place to care for them as they enter their golden years.
UNNECESSARILY SHIFTING COSTS TO COUNTIES
Lawmakers have also noticed the governor wants to shift a number of state costs down to the county level. Doing so would force counties to dramatically increase local property tax rates in order to make these payments. As a former county commissioner who defends the good work county government performs, it is very disheartening to see Governor Walz attempt to pass the buck.
CARLEY STATE PARK BILL STALLS
This week, the House environment committee heard my proposal that would allow a local family to contribute 58 of their acres to Carely State Park. The legislation failed because all Democrats voted to defeat it.
KEEP IN TOUCH
As always, if you ever have any legislative questions, please contact me. I can be reached at rep.steven.jacob@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651.296.2273.
Have a good weekend,
Steve