Week 18 Friday May 10th
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It is now ten days before the constitutional end of session, May 20th. Conference committees have been meeting all week with little to no progress. This is due in large part to a lack of agreed upon budget targets between the House, Senate and Governor. The goal is to have those targets agreed upon by Monday May 13th.
While the conference committees have struggled we did manage to vote many standalone bills through the Senate floor, from memorials to drainage ditches and even a DWI omnibus bill.
More people are reaching out via email and phone and I want to continue to encourage that. As the Omnibus bills begin taking their final shape, I want to know what is important to you so we can pass something that supports all Minnesotans. Stay in touch together lets get to the finish line and get our work done, the Minnesota Way.
Sincerely,
John
Progress for all conference committees may be followed on the Senate website.
Agriculture, Rural Development and Housing conference committee update
The Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing conference committee met a few times this week to review the differences between the House and Senate spreadsheets and bill language. The conference committee heard from the Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, AURI, and the Board of Animal Health. No provisions were adopted by the conference committee. The conference committee is waiting for leadership from the Legislature and Governor Walz to determine its budget target. (SF 2226)
E-12 budget discussions stall as legislators wait for targets
The E-12 education conference committee met four times this week but did not adopt any provisions or make any decisions on the next two-year budget.
Members discussed various House and Senate provisions, budget differences, and reviewed Senate and House bill language. Issues discussed included early childhood education programs, the per student formula increases, school needs, and special education. Education Commissioner Mary Catherine Ricker also addressed the conference committee.
Members suggested that the conference committee adopt bill language that are the same or similar. However, members could not agree, and with the Senate chair wanting to wait until budget targets were agreed upon, little real work has happened in the committee.
The Senate and House are far apart on budget goals. The Senate has passed legislation investing $211 million over the next two years in E-12 education. The House bill invests $900 million over the same period of time. (SF 7/HF 2400)
Environment conferees meets through the week
The Environment and Natural Resources Conference Committee met this week, beginning the process of reconciling differences between the Senate and House positions on a two-year budget for environment and natural resource agencies. The bills also include numerous policy differences which must be resolved.
The conference committee spent its first meetings reviewing a spreadsheet comparing the Senate, House, and governor’s proposed budgets. The governor’s budget requests an additional $58 million in direct appropriations for environment and natural resources agencies. His proposed gas tax generates about $15.8 million of the increase. The Senate’s budget cuts about $36 million in direct appropriation base funding with no gas tax funding, and the House’s budget provides an additional $82 million, along with new gas tax funds.
The conference committee heard from state agency heads, including Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Laura Bishop, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen, Board of Water and Soil Director John Jaschke, and John Edmund of Explore Minnesota Tourism. Much of the testimony involved a variety of harms to public services that would occur if the Senate’s budget approach were enacted. Conferees also heard wide-ranging testimony from at least 40 individuals and groups, who voiced their issues and concerns with the bill.
The conference committee next begins the difficult work of comparing and adopting items into a final bill, finding agreed-upon compromise where possible. (SF 2314)
Health and Human Services Conference Committee putting in long hours to meet deadline
The conference committee for the health and human services budget bill has been meeting all week searching for consensus between budgets in the House and Senate that are hundreds of millions of dollars apart.
The committee has taken no formal action, focusing first on a detailed walk through of every article in the bill. Conferees have been discussing the differences in the bills and asking questions of state agency representatives on the budget and policy provisions in the bill. The articles discussed so far include provisions on prescription drugs, health care and insurance coverage, and public health. Republicans and DFL members have a significant amount of work ahead to agree on the large number of policy and budget items in the bill.
The conference committee is expected to meet several more times in the coming days in order to reach agreement on a final bill. (HF 2414)
Conference committee on opioid legislation makes no progress despite first meeting in weeks
The conference committee for legislation to combat the opioid epidemic met for the first time this week since early April. Despite finally calling a meeting, Senate Republicans planned to take no formal action on the bill. Instead, state agencies provided presentations on existing state and federal funding for opioid addiction, and more time was allotted for public testimony.
The House and Senate have only come to agreement on a handful of noncontroversial provisions in the bill. At the heart of the ongoing disagreement is a section in the Senate bill, opposed by DFLers, to sunset the highest fees charged to the pharmaceutical industry if Minnesota receives more than $20 million from any of the active litigation against drug manufacturers.
No additional conference committee hearings have been scheduled. It is up to the House to call the next meeting. DFLers are still hopeful that an agreement can be reached before the end of session, but time is running out. (HF 400)
Higher Education Conference Committee makes some process on budget bill
The higher education conference committee this week made some progress, adopting some similar and technical language provisions. The members also heard testimony from advocates and students.
Most of those who came before the conference committee outlined concerns with budget goals and policy. Those who provided testimony were worried that the Senate’s budget target of $100 million for the next two-year budget was too low and would hurt school programs and result in layoffs. Most advocates supported the House position that invests $300 million for 2020-21.
Policy concerns include a Senate tuition cap for both the University of Minnesota and MinnState system schools – the bill does not provide funding to make up for the lost revenue, unlike the House bill which funds a tuition cap.
The conference committee also discussed the state grant program and changes were suggested in both bills.
No meetings have been scheduled for the weekend; work will continue next week while conference committees wait for global targets. (SF 2415)
Jobs, Commerce, and Energy conference committee update
The Jobs, Commerce, and Energy conference committee met several times this week. The committee spent a substantial amount of time reviewing provisions that were only in included in either the House or Senate proposal and adopting noncontroversial policy language. The conference committee has not acted on any budget items. Legislative leaders and Governor Walz must come to an agreement on budget targets for each committee before committees can make any substantial progress. (HF 2208)
Judiciary conference committee gets stuck at the starting gate
The Judiciary and Public Safety conference committee has met three times in the past week to walk through the spreadsheets of the Senate and House proposals and to hear more about the House policy proposals. Despite an agreed upon May 6 deadline, global targets for the conference committees have not been released, which is preventing major work on putting together an agreed upon proposal. The Senate and House positions are vastly different – DFLers are committed to investing in public safety, the state’s corrections system, and the judicial branch while Republicans have an incredibly limited budget increase. This should be a time where the partisan politics get set aside for common sense public safety. (SF 802)
DWI omnibus bill passed off Senate floor
The Senate passed a DWI omnibus bill off the floor this week. The bill contains a number of changes to the state’s DWI laws, all of which aim to strike a balance in public safety, DWI prevention, and rehabilitation.
The bill passed on a unanimous vote and is awaiting further action from the House. (SF 753)
State Government Conference Committee takes testimony
The State Government Finance Committee has met three times this week but has failed to come to agreement on how to fund the many government agencies, boards, and commissions that keep the state running and provide critical services to Minnesotans. It will take several more serious conversations to come to an agreement on a final bill to present the Governor. (SF 2227)
Transportation conference committee stalled
The Transportation Conference Committee met three times this week but has failed to reach an agreement to adequately fund Minnesota’s roads, bridges, and transit system.The primary disagreement is on how much funding is required, and the state of the roads currently. They will continue meeting to eventually agree on a final bill. (HF 1555)
Thank You
It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come visit.So come on down, reach out and tell me what matters to you so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn, phone by 651-296-4154 or just stop by. I am at 95 University Avenue Suite 2231 in the Minnesota Senate Building
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call my office at 651-296-4154 or by e-mail at jhoffman@senate.mn
As the session nears its final days I am grateful for the wonderful people I’ve been able to work with and get to know better.
Senator Abeler, Sally Prouty and Mary Hartnett with me the day the Deafblind Intervener bill passed the Senate!
Hard working Anoka-Hennepin Teacher and Tornado Baseball Coach, Don Gawreluk, visiting me outside the Senate Floor.
Jim McDonough and Trista Matascastillo joining me at the Housing for All Rally.
Senator Newton Joined me with Kelly Nelson and her band of teachers from Anoka Hennepin School District!
Minnesota’s treatment courts successes highlighted at the Capitol
Minnesota’s judicial branch this week held a Treatment Courts Day at the Capitol, to highlight the work of both the state’s treatment courts system and those who go through a treatment court. Speakers at the event included treatment court graduates and treatment court team members.
Minnesota established its first treatment court in 1996. Treatment courts allow prosecutors, public defenders, probation officers, and other stakeholders involved in the criminal justice system to develop a system that enables completion of a treatment program and reduce relapse or recidivism.
The treatment courts have proven incredibly successful in developing strategies that improve public safety and save taxpayer dollars while focusing on the holistic treatment of the individual.
The judicial branch has included a request for additional funding for its treatment courts, though Republicans have given the Judiciary Committee a limited target that does not provide for this increased funding.
Homes for All rally
A sea of green was seen in the Capitol rotunda this week as the statewide coalition, Homes for All, rallied with friends and allies to show legislators strong support in the belief that every Minnesotan should have a safe, affordable place to call home.
The lack of affordable housing means people are forced to live in encampments, hop couches, or sleep in cars. It means businesses can’t grow because they can’t find workers who can afford to live nearby. It means that the quality of life and drive to do better that defines Minnesota is in danger of being lost. Investments need to be made in affordable housing, so all people can have a place to go home to.
Legacy bill passes Senate
The Senate passed the legacy bill this week, appropriating a total of $629 million from the Outdoor Heritage fund, Clean Water Fund, Parks and Trails Fund, and Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. The four funds were established by the “legacy amendment,” approved by Minnesota’s voters in 2008. The bill provides funds for hundreds of projects around the state, from prairie and forest habitat, to clean water activities, parks and trails, zoos and museums, arts and cultural heritage, and more. (SF 836)
Four U of M regent positions filled by Legislature
The House and Senate met this week to choose four new regents to fill open spots on the University of Minnesota governing board.
Three women were chosen to fill four of the spots: one-fourth of the membership will now be women. A student regent from Duluth was also chosen to fill an open spot.
The newly elected regents include Janie Mayeron, from the fifth congressional district, Michael Kenyanya, student regent, and Mary Davenport and Kao Ly Ilean Her, regents at-large.
Appointing regents is a constitutional obligation of the Legislature. Only if the Legislature fails to appoint regents does the governor do so, and appointments by the governor are for a shorter time than appointments made by the Legislature.
Omnibus agriculture policy bill passes Senate
The omnibus agriculture policy bill passed the Senate this week on a vote of 42-22. The bill contained noncontroversial language with an exception of a few provisions that alter the way the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency can regulate farm pastures. The differences in the House and Senate bill will be worked out in conference committee before coming to a final vote. (HF 1733)
Tax conference committee begins work
The conference committee working out the differences between the House, Senate, and Governor’s tax proposals met four times this week. However, without a budget target – a universally agreed to amount of money the tax budget will raise and spend in the next budget cycle – there is little substantive work to accomplish. (H.F. 2125)
Senate moves to help those facing wage garnishment
The Senate passed a bill this week that allows those facing wage garnishment to protect more of their paychecks while still meeting debt obligations.
Wage garnishment is a part of the circle of debt – money is taken out of paychecks to pay off a debt, but that means the person responsible for the debt has less money to take care of other bills. Protecting a little more of a paycheck can make the difference between getting debt taken care of or falling deeper into a cycle of unpaid debt.
The bill passed off the Senate floor on a unanimous vote and is waiting for a final vote on the House. (SF 1706)