ST. PAUL, MN – Early Friday morning, the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate concluded the special session, passing the final bills that comprise the 2018-2019 biennium budget. In all, the legislature passed seven bills during special session: Taxes, Transportation, State Government, Health & Human Services, K-12 Education, Bonding, and Labor Standards.
“The Legislature has come to a budget agreement with the Governor,” said Rep. Randy Jessup (R-Shoreview). “It includes the largest tax relief bill in over 20 years focused on reducing the tax burden on students, seniors, and middle class Minnesotans, as well as making a historic investment in road and bridge infrastructure without raising taxes on Minnesotans.”
The Republican-led tax bill will mean more than $650 million in tax relief—the largest tax cut in nearly two decades—for Minnesota families in the 2018-2019 biennium and three-quarters of a billion dollars in tax relief in the 2020-2021 biennium. It includes relief for seniors on social security, college graduates with student loan debt, and property tax relief for farmers and Minnesota businesses. In addition, Republicans championed and the legislature approved the largest investment in road and bridge infrastructure in state history - without an increase in the gas tax or license tab fees. Funding is also included for reconstruction of the Rice Street/694 Bridge. The K-12 education budget bill invests an additional $1.3 billion in schools, as well as ends the “Last In, First Out” default layoff policy allowing schools to keep the best teachers in the classroom. Also included is a new teacher licensure system that will provide clarity for aspiring teachers and will help school districts hire and retain more teachers to address Minnesota’s teacher shortage.
During regular session, the legislature passed budget bills for Public Safety, Higher Education, Jobs & Energy Affordability, Agriculture, and Environment & Natural Resources. Altogether, the legislature is sending ten budget bills, a $995 million bonding bill, and a labor standards bill to the governor’s desk for his signature.
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