CAPITOL UPDATE SPECIAL SESSION 2019
Recently, the Legislature adjourned until Tuesday, February 11, 2020. However, much of the Legislature’s 2019 work is yet to be completed. With a $48 billion agreement between the Senate, House, and Governor, a Special Session is happening now. I am confident that the three sides can come together and find a compromise in a timely manner, but that task is often difficult to complete in a divided government.
Senator Latz thanked a Hmong veteran who served in the U.S. Vietnam War on April 30 during the celebration of the dedication of Hmong Veterans Day. Pictured to the right is Attorney General Keith Ellison and Senator Foung Hawj. We thank all of the Hmong veterans for their brave service to our country.
Included in the agreement that was struck Sunday evening were global budget targets. These global targets are essentially an agreement on the amount of funding each committee receives with some micro-level details, but leaves room for negotiations between the three parties. For example, the Governor and Legislature agreed to remove the Provider Tax sunset and settle at the reduced rate of 1.8% – compared to 2.0% previously – in the Health and Human Services budget. However, other policy provisions and budget items are in the process of being negotiated between the three parties.
Incorporated in the global agreement is a 6% overall increase in spending compared to the previous 2017-2018 session. A good chunk of the 6% percent will go towards funding Minnesota’s schools and health care systems as enrollment and inflation have respectively put pressure on both networks to keep up. The general education formula will increase by two percent and two percent for the upcoming biennium. The deal also incorporates $40 million for broadband over the next two years, $20 million for cyber security funding, and $150 million for Higher Education.
Once the Special Session is completed, I will send out a more thorough and comprehensive Capitol Update newsletter considering there is still much to be done. I will continue to fight for priorities most important to Senate District 46.
Photo with our Spring session intern Katelyn Osland. It was her final day at the Capitol on Monday this week and we were incredibly fortunate to have her with us this session.
Town Hall Scheduled
Senate District 46 has scheduled a post-session town hall. I look forward to seeing you there.
Thank you for your continued interest in the state legislature and our work serving Senate District 46. If you have any time-sensitive questions, comments, or concerns please call my office at 651-297-8065.
Regards,
Ron Latz