ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House voted on the Republican state budget package early Sunday morning. The omnibus supplemental budget bill, while totaling 990 pages and encompassing every area of the state budget, left out meaningful efforts to deliver adequate emergency school aid, end the state opioid epidemic, improve eldercare and other critical priorities. The legislation was placed on lawmakers’ desks just a few hours before they were set to vote. Gov. Mark Dayton indicated earlier Saturday the bill would face a veto.
Rep. Peggy Flanagan (DFL – St. Louis Park) issued the following statement:
“We should be working together to pass a state budget and other legislation to help everyone have a better chance to succeed. Instead, with Republicans in charge, the desires of the very wealthiest and special interests are again controlling the agenda at the Legislature. It’s disheartening that another legislative session is about to end without meaningful investments in students, measures to control health care costs, or policies to make taxes more fair for Minnesota families. The opioid epidemic is causing too many tragedies, and Big Pharma again gets off the hook. The only solutions to protect Minnesota seniors and other vulnerable adults is another task force. And shamefully, while another tragic shooting took place in another U.S. high school, solutions to end gun violence haven’t received a vote.
“Through all this, I’m thankful we’ve been able to count on Governor Dayton’s steadfast support of Minnesota families. He’s been a champion for our students by working to ensure they have the resources necessary to achieve in the classroom. I’m particularly thankful that he’s looked out for Native people by vetoing bills weakening wild rice sulfate standards or allowing fast-track pipeline construction through treaty lands. And time and time again, he’s worked to bring us together to advance proposals with bipartisan support. Despite these opportunities, unfortunately, Republicans have failed to get the job done in a way that improves lives.”