Many state employees work an eight-hour day. A bill to fund those agency operations took longer, but ultimately received support from the majority of the House late Friday.
Sponsored by Rep. Michael Nelson (DFL-Brooklyn Park), HF1952 is the omnibus state government finance and elections, veterans and military affairs bill. Passed, as amended, 68-62 after more than 11 hours of debate, the bill next goes to the Senate where Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) is the sponsor.
Checking in at nearly $1.3 billion, the bill would fund the state’s constitutional offices; Legislature; many state agencies, boards and commissions; the Department of Veteran Affairs; and the Department of Military Affairs. It represents a $57.84 million increase over current base level and $500,000 more than the budget proposed by Gov. Tim Walz for the 2022-23 biennium.
It also contains myriad elections changes and some alterations directed at state and local government operations.