Tag: 2019 Minnesota budget

Environment and Natural Resources Conference Committee Co-Chair Hansen Announces Public Hearing Tomorrow

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The joint House/Senate Conference Committee tasked with developing a compromise Environment and Natural Resources budget will meet tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. in Room G-3 of the Minnesota State Capitol. The public hearing, chaired by Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul), will include testimony from several Minnesotans.

WHAT: Public hearing of the House/Senate Conference Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources budget, HF 2209
WHO: Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul), committee members
WHERE: Room G-3, Minnesota State Capitol
WHEN: Wednesday, May 8 at 8:30 a.m.

The House DFL Environment and Natural Resources budget would protect our clean air, water, and other natural resources. It includes innovative solutions to address long-term environmental issues, such as chronic wasting disease, aquatic invasive species, and emerald ash borer. It also provides Minnesotans with greater access to the outdoors.

Those who wish to testify should contact Peter Strohmeier at peter.strohmeier@house.mn. Written testimony will also be accepted.

Jobs and Energy Conference Committee Hears Public Testimony on Climate Change

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The joint House/Senate Conference Committee tasked with developing a compromise state Jobs and Energy budget held their second public hearing this afternoon. The committee focused on energy provisions. Testifiers included nationally-respected meteorologist Paul Douglas, who spoke about how climate change is impacting Minnesota.

“As one of the fastest-warming states in the country, Minnesota is already experiencing the impacts of climate change,” said Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL – Minneapolis). “Scientists have told us that we need to sharply reduce carbon emissions in the next twelve years to head off catastrophic consequences. Minnesotans expect us to heed these warnings and take action to protect our climate.”

The House DFL Jobs and Energy budget takes significant action to reduce carbon emissions and prevent Continue reading “Jobs and Energy Conference Committee Hears Public Testimony on Climate Change”

House DFL leaders announce aggressive conference committee schedule and weekend availability for negotiations to finish session on time

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.

Minnesota House Approves Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota House approved a plan to appropriate $64 million from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The legislation (HF 2032), was introduced by Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul) and received broad bipartisan support.

“Minnesotans are proud of our state’s natural beauty and abundant natural resources,” said Rep. Hansen. “The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund has supported thousands of environmental projects across the state since it was established in 1988 with the overwhelming support of Minnesota voters. This legislation will build on that success and protect our environment and wildlife for future generations of Minnesotans.”

In 1988, Minnesota voters overwhelmingly chose to adopt a constitutional amendment that established the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). 40 percent of the proceeds from the Minnesota State Lottery are deposited into the fund each year. The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), a bipartisan group of legislators and citizens, provides funding recommendations to the legislature. The revenue is then allocated to projects that preserve, restore, and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund”

Minnesota House Expected to Approve State Government, Elections, Veterans Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House is expected to approve the State Government budget bill, which includes provisions from the Elections and Veterans & Military Affairs committees. The bill includes measures to make it easier to vote and appropriates the full $6.6 million in Federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding to secure Minnesota’s elections. The budget also includes provisions to restore the right to vote to those who have completed prison sentences, and to end veteran homelessness.  

“Minnesotans deserve effective state government and our budget delivers,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “The Minnesota House DFL makes needed investments in consumer protection and cyber-security initiatives.”

“Minnesota leads the country in voter participation, and we need to be a leader in caring for our veterans. Our budget will ensure that continues into the future,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “While Republicans drag their feet on election security and aim to restrict access to the ballot, House DFLers are protecting and enhancing our nation-leading election system. Our budget also supports and respects our veterans, in recognition of our obligation to them for their incredible service to our state and nation.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Expected to Approve State Government, Elections, Veterans Budget”

Minnesota House Expected to Approve New Higher Education Budget

Cornerstone of House DFL proposal is two-year tuition freeze

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives is expected to approve a new higher education budget that would freeze tuition for two years at the state’s public colleges and universities. As a result, tens of thousands of individuals currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State systems will not pay one penny more in tuition.

A fact sheet with more information about the House DFL budget is available for download here. Continue reading “Minnesota House Expected to Approve New Higher Education Budget”

Minnesota House Was Expected to Approve Transportation Budget Monday

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House of Representatives is expected to approve a new transportation budget today that makes honest and responsible investments to fix our state’s roads, bridges, and transit. The American Society of Civil Engineers rated Minnesota’s roads as “D+” on their most recent infrastructure report card. Bridges received a “C” and transit was awarded a “C-.”

A fact sheet is available for download here.

“Minnesotans expect our transportation system to be safe, modern, and efficient, but our roads are crumbling, our bridges are structurally deficient, and our transit system is under-developed,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “The Minnesota Values Budget makes significant, honest investments to address the safety risks posed by our aging infrastructure and improve our transit system.”

The House DFL Majority’s transportation budget reverses destructive Republican budgeting that shifts more than $400 million in general fund dollars meant for schools, health care for seniors and people with disabilities, and other social safety net programs that Minnesotans depend on to live dignified lives. Instead, it raises those revenues honestly. In addition to a gas tax increase phased in over four years, the budget raises approximately $461 million in new revenue through changes in tab fees in Fiscal Years 2020-2021 and more than $650 million in Fiscal Years 2022-23. Nearly half of all Minnesota vehicles would qualify for lower tab fees. The budget also brings the motor vehicle sales tax in line with all other sales taxes (from 6.5% to 6.875%). Continue reading “Minnesota House Was Expected to Approve Transportation Budget Monday”

Minnesota House expected to pass new Public Safety and Judiciary budget

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House was expected to pass a new two-year Public Safety and Judiciary budget last night.  The bill includes funding for corrections, the courts, criminal apprehension, human rights protections and many other areas, along with investments in a safer, more just Minnesota.

“We’ve worked in a thoughtful, deliberate way to reimagine how we can better approach public safety in this state to improve outcomes for everybody with a more just criminal justice system,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division Chair. “This session, through a community-centered lens, our work represents the first step toward a public safety approach centered in not just accountability and punishment, but prevention and pathways to redemption.”

“House DFLers are working to ensure fairness and deliver justice, and after bringing regular Minnesotans affected by our system to the table to hear their concerns and ideas, we’ve produced a budget accomplishes this,” said Rep. John Lesch (DFL – Saint Paul), the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Division Chair. “With investments in our courts, steps to decriminalize poverty, and other innovative strategies, our work will ultimately lead to more Minnesotans being able to seek and receive justice.” Continue reading “Minnesota House expected to pass new Public Safety and Judiciary budget”

Minnesota House Expected to Approve Transportation Budget on Monday

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House of Representatives is expected to approve a new transportation budget on Monday that makes honest and responsible investments to fix our state’s roads, bridges, and transit. The American Society of Civil Engineers rated Minnesota’s roads as “D+” on their most recent infrastructure report card. Bridges received a “C” and transit was awarded a “C-.”

A fact sheet is available for download here.

“Minnesotans expect our transportation system to be safe, modern, and efficient, but our roads are crumbling, our bridges are structurally deficient, and our transit system is under-developed,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “The Minnesota Values Budget makes significant, honest investments to address the safety risks posed by our aging infrastructure and improve our transit system.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Expected to Approve Transportation Budget on Monday”

Minnesota House Approves Agriculture and Housing Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House approved a new Agriculture and Housing budget Friday, April 26. The House DFL’s budget supports Minnesota’s agriculture industries, invests in food access programs, and provides a $26 million funding increase for housing programs. The bill passed on a vote of 99 to 28.

“The success of Minnesota farmers is essential to the economic success of our entire state,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Our budget supports Minnesota’s farm families during this difficult time. We’re also increasing investments in housing programs that are critical for security and stability for families struggling with housing affordability.”

In addition to funding the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the budget bill invests in agriculture research, protection services, marketing and development, financial assistance, bioenergy, and the Board of Animal Health. The budget sees an overall 4.5 percent increase in funding for MDA. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves Agriculture and Housing Budget”