SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, House DFL leaders announced plans to work over the weekend, beginning budget negotiations in conference committees with the GOP-controlled Senate. On Tuesday, the House passed their final budget bills, fulfilling its end of the agreement with Governor Walz and Leader Gazelka to pass budgets by May 1st out of each respective chamber. The next deadline for joint budget targets is Monday, May 6th. There are just 18 days left before the Constitutionally-required adjournment on May 20th.
“House DFLers are ready to complete our budget work on behalf of Minnesotans,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “The next step is for House and Senate leaders and House and Senate committee chairs to compare their positions and find areas of agreement and potential compromise. We are prepared to work through the weekend with our Senate counterparts to ensure a productive end to the legislative session.”
“We are committed to ending session on time with a product that benefits Minnesotans,” said Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “The clock is ticking, and House DFLers are ready to finalize a budget that improves health care, education, and economic security for all Minnesotans.”
All conference committees on House files, where House DFLers hold the gavels first, will meet Friday or over the weekend. The House awaits word on scheduling for conference committees on Senate files.
-The Omnibus Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Conference Committee will meet at 9:00 am, Friday, May 3rd in Room 1200 ofthe Minnesota Senate Building.
-The Omnibus Tax Conference Committee will meet at 9:00, Friday, May 3rd, in Room G-15 of the State Capitol.
-The Omnibus Jobs and Economic Development, Energy and Climate, and Telecommunications Policy and Finance Conference Committee will meet at 1:00 pm, Friday, May 3rd, in Room 10 of the State Office Building.
-The Omnibus E-12 Conference Committee will meet at 4:00 pm, Sunday, May 5th in Room 5 of the State Office Building.