The 93rd Minnesota Legislature finished its business against a backdrop of chaos at midnight on Sunday, May 19, 2024, passing a 1430-page, 73-article omnibus bill that had been constructed earlier in the day. This massive...more
In November, voters gave the Democratic Farmer Labor Party (DFL) total control of the legislature and the governor’s office for the first time in nearly a decade, which included flipping the Minnesota Senate by the narrowest...more
Introduction -
Despite a historic surplus, the Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die on Sunday, May 22 with most of their work unfinished. This result was far different from the expectations of many when the Legislature...more
On Tuesday, December 7th, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released Minnesota’s November Forecast, projecting a $7.75 billion surplus for the FY 2022-23 biennium. This is a record surplus for Minnesota.
The...more
Minnesota legislative leaders and Governor Tim Walz reached a biennial budget agreement on May 17, 2021 (with another month needed for the legislature to work out details and pass budget bills). The budget spends...more
COVID-19 defined the 2021 regular session of the Minnesota Legislature. When it convened on January 5, 2021, the Legislature had been meeting in special session monthly since June 2020 to consider terminating Governor Walz’s...more
In late February 2021, Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Management and Budget officials released Minnesota’s February Economic and Budget Forecast. The budget forecast revealed a $1.571 billion surplus for the Fiscal Year...more
Understanding the Minnesota Legislative process is crucial to tracking bills and policies as legislators draft, amend and debate them.
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Minnesota’s economic and budget outlook has improved since last May when the Minnesota Office of Management and Budget (MMB) projected significant budget deficits for the remainder of this biennium and the next. In a forecast...more
On July 20, the Minnesota Legislature adjourned its second special session of the summer. While there was no prior agreement between Governor Walz (DFL) and legislative leaders before this special session was called, the hope...more
The legislature convened February 11, and at the end of the month received a forecast which projected a $1.5 billion budget surplus and hopes of passing a robust capital investment bill. Senate Republicans were hoping to use...more
The COVID-19 response remains the sole focus of state government. The Walz administration issued new executive orders addressing health care and economic consequences of the pandemic, providing further guidance on the state’s...more
After discussions over the weekend, state legislative leaders have decided to recess the Minnesota Legislature from Tuesday, March 17, through Tuesday, April 14. This decision was made after consultation with the Minnesota...more
As it has nationally and internationally, COVID-19 or coronavirus has been the focus for both Governor Walz and the Minnesota Legislature this week. On Monday, the House and Senate unanimously passed emergency legislation...more
During a series of press events over the last week, Governor Tim Walz (DFL) released his $2.028 billion capital budget proposal. Dubbed the “Local Jobs and Project Plan,” the Governor’s proposal prioritized affordable...more
Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its November Economic Budget Forecast on December 5, 2019. This forecast shows an improved economic outlook compared to the end of the 2019 legislative session and projects an...more
Last week, the Minnesota House of Representatives held a three day “mini-session” in the Minnesota communities of Rochester, Austin, Winona, and the surrounding area. It was the first mini-session — which were much more...more
With 10 days to go until the Minnesota Legislature must adjourn, budget negotiations between Governor Walz and House and Senate leadership have stalled. In turn, the work of conference committees, who need agreed-to budget...more