Tag: 2019 session

Senate DFL 2019 Session Preview

The 2019 legislative session kicks off January 8 with a new DFL governor, a new DFL House majority, and Republicans leading the Senate. While there will always be intense emotions surrounding policy and politics, the Senate DFL is committed to keeping Minnesota on the right track and defending what DFLers have accomplished with Gov. Dayton.

State budget officials projected a $1.54 billion budgetary balance for the upcoming two-year budget cycle, but nearly half of this balance is only available for one-time spending and experts are predicting a slowing economy in the near future. It is more important now than ever to recognize that any new spending and tax cuts must be balanced. Protecting the state’s finances from future instability is the prudent choice as we anticipate slower economic growth ahead.

In our work setting a new two-year budget, Senate DFLers are committed to building the state all Minnesotans deserve with high-quality education, affordable and accessible health care, and increasing support for working families. Here are some of the many issues we expect to work on in 2019:

  • Bringing down the cost of health care: Many Senate DFLers believe one way to accomplish this is to allow Minnesotans to “buy in” to the existing MinnesotaCare program. MinnesotaCare is a successful bipartisan program created more than 20 years ago. Since 1992, MinnesotaCare has offered high-quality, lower-cost health coverage for more than 100,000 Minnesotans who meet income eligibility requirements. The MinnesotaCare Buy-In is a cost-effective solution because the program would be funded by the premiums of those who buy coverage and would require no ongoing costs for Minnesota taxpayers. This is a smart investment that would give our fellow Minnesotans more options for high-quality, affordable health care at clinics and hospitals across the state.
  • Paid family leave and affordable child care: Working families deserve a chance to succeed, and paid leave is a fair, commonsense solution to help Minnesota workers take care of themselves and their families. We must also find ways to make high-quality child care more affordable and accessible to all Minnesota families. The Senate DFL is hopeful businesses, families, and care providers will work together to find solutions to benefit all Minnesotans.
  • Tax conformity: State lawmakers historically have revised state tax law to align with federal policy, but Minnesota lawmakers were unable to reach a deal earlier this year to dovetail with the huge federal tax bill passed last year by President Trump and Congress. Since the state’s tax code does not align with federal codes, it will cause confusion come tax filing season. The Senate DFL is committed to passing a version of tax conformity that does not jeopardize long-term fiscal stability for the sake of short-term benefits.
  • Stable funding for transportation: Minnesota keeps falling further behind in providing stable investments in our roads, bridges, and transit systems. One-time money and bonding (borrowing) for projects are not sustainable – we need a long-term solution. Governor-elect Tim Walz and numerous legislators continue to express support for raising Minnesota’s gas tax to better address the state’s infrastructure needs; the gas tax was last increased in 2008. Republicans have been outspoken in their opposition to gas tax increases but as recently as 2015 indicated an interest in reforming tab fees to increase transportation revenue. On transit, a sales tax in the Twin Cities metro area will not only balance the structural deficit Metro Transit faces due to increased use of Metro Mobility services, but will also allow the system to expand to accommodate a growing population.

Looking ahead, we will begin the 2019 session by gathering information from state agencies and listening to the priorities of our constituents. DFL senators will fight for economic policies and programs that improve the lives and incomes for all Minnesotans – no matter where they live in the state. Our policies will not pit Minnesotans nor regions against one another. DFL senators welcome the opportunity to work with Governor-elect Walz, the House DFL majority, and Senate Republicans to pass a structurally balanced budget with fiscal stability.

Legislators will look for ways to help farmers facing challenging economic conditions.

Legislators may attempt to appropriate $98 million in GO Bonds instead of relying on funding from the environment and natural resources trust fund to pay off the bonds.

The committee will continue to work on consumer protection and fraud prevention.

The forecast looks favorable and with the budget bill veto last session, there will be a push for increased formula funding.

There may be some consensus around some items, including a few of those vetoed last year in the omnibus finance bill, such as energy storage proposals and grants to school districts for solar energy.

There likely will be many items left over from last year that can gain bipartisan approval, if they are not packaged as they were last session in a mega-omnibus bill.

With a DFL-controlled House, it is likely that prospects for passing legislation like the Opioid Stewardship Program and reforms in elder care have improved, given the difficulties both pieces of legislation faced in the House last year.

Expect discussion again about the regent selection process and more robust funding for higher education to promote success. Student debt, campus assault, teachers of color recruitment, and workforce needs will also likely be discussed outside of the budget hearings.

A tightening labor market is the main challenges the business community is talking about relative to this budget area.

Expect early hearings on prison safety, along with a substantial budget item from Governor-elect Walz.

The House DFL majority will likely support expanded access to voting and investments in election security, which may increase the pressure on the Senate Republican majority to move forward on reforms.

Although tax conformity will be a key priority this session, it may not happen immediately.

Further scrutiny of MNLARS funding and development should be expected, as well as ongoing clash over use of general fund dollars versus increased revenue for road and bridge funding.

2019 is a budget year, which means the Departments of Military and Veterans Affairs will likely seek additional funding. There will be continued discussion on shoring up incentive accounts due to changes in the federal budget. The Legislature may also see discussion around building new or expanding current veterans’ homes, as well as expanding tax credits for veterans.