Session’s second week kicks off with press conferences, committee overviews
The second week of the 2019 session kicked off with a legislative press forum with Governor Walz and the four leaders from the Senate and House. There were also a number of press conferences on issues ranging from distracted driving, how the state is dealing with the federal shutdown, and legalizing recreational marijuana use.
Committees kicked into gear with a busy week of overviews and a few early bill hearings. Some of the topics under discussion this week include HHS fraud prevention investigations, disability waivers, energy storage, education budgets, a farm and agriculture overview, a hearing on disease affecting our deer population, prison sentencing modifications, and an overview on our November budget forecast.
Governor Walz and all four legislative caucuses expressed their commitment to pass some non-controversial bills early in the session, so legislative action is expected to ramp up in the coming weeks.
State leaders provide insight into the 2019 Legislative Session
Governor Tim Walz, along with Senate DFL Leader Tom Bakk, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, Speaker Melissa Hortman, and House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt participated in the annual State Capitol Forum News Service’s press briefing earlier this week. The leaders were optimistic about passing a number of bills that have bipartisan support fairly early in the session.
November forecast update
The November forecast projected a $1.5 billion budgetary balance for FY 2020-21. Roughly half ($720 million) of this balance was carried over from FY 2018-19. As a result, the structural balance for FY 2020-21 is approximately $870 million.
Bipartisan ‘Hands-Free’ cell phone legislation introduced
Minnesota is one step closer to safer roads thanks to legislation introduced this week prohibiting cell phone use outside of one-touch communications. Modeled after laws present in 16 states and Washington D.C. the ‘hands-free’ cell phone bill would increase safety on Minnesota’s roads for drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Walz Administration plans for shut-down consequences
Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan, Attorney General Ellison, members from both parties, and leaders from the Minnesota faith community held a press conference this week regarding the federal shutdown and its effects on Minnesotans.
Various leaders expressed sentiments of solidarity, and sought to reassure the public that despite difficulties, Minnesotans would feel minimal impacts from the longest federal government shutdown in the nation’s history.
Opposing marijuana press conferences get heated
One high-level issue at the 2019-20 legislative session is reforming Minnesota’s laws on marijuana, including the potential for decriminalization or full legalization. Two competing press conferences were held this week – one to oppose and one to support legalization.
Reducing burdensome paperwork for special education teachers
A bipartisan coalition of senators introduced a series of reforms this week to strengthen Minnesota’s special education policies, put the focus back on students, keep teachers in the classroom, and save school districts money in the process.
New education commissioner introduced, E-12 overview presented
Mary Catheryn Ricker, Governor Walz’s choice for education commissioner, introduced herself and outlined priorities to the Education Committee at its first meeting this week.
U of M, Minn State outline budget requests for Higher Education Committee
The University of Minnesota and Minn State this week outlined their biennial budget requests at the first meeting of the Higher Education Committee of the session.
Energy Committee approves energy storage bill
The Energy and Utilities Committee heard and approved a bill this week that takes a good first step toward deployment of energy storage in Minnesota.
Environment Finance Committee gets update on Chronic Wasting Disease
The Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee heard this week from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources about the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal brain disease found in the cervid family: deer, moose, and elk.
The Human Services Reform Committee gets off to a fast start on anti-fraud measures
Senate Republicans have made preventing fraud in the state’s public programs a central piece of their legislative agenda for the session.
Proposal to reverse the 7% cut gets a second chance
The federal government notified Minnesota last year that it would not help fund rate increases to providers of services for people with disabilities.
Changes proposed for Minnesota sentencing guidelines
The Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission this week presented proposed guideline changes to the Senate Judiciary Committee.