‘No easy fix:’ legislative reform subcommittee holds first meeting
By Jonathan Mohr
When the 2019 regular legislative session failed to produce an agreement on nearly all major budget bills needed to fund the state government for the next two years, lawmakers were forced into a one-day special session to wrap up their work.
Such special sessions have become the rule rather than the exception in recent years, and they’re one of the reasons the House Subcommittee on Legislative Process Reform was created.
“Minnesotans expect and deserve a modern, efficient, and transparent legislative process,” House Speaker Melissa Hortman said in a statement.
At its first meeting Wednesday, members received overviews from nonpartisan staff on the state’s budget process and how several House committees and divisions navigated that process during the 2019 session, as well as past process reform efforts.
Recent Dailies
Governor, legislative leaders to announce budget breakthrough
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Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders are set to announce a budget deal Sunday evening as lawmakers near Monday’s constitutional deadline for adjournment.
Budget talks: Still no deal in sight as 'cone of silence' continues
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The trio of leaders in charge of crafting the state’s biennial budget has little to report as of early Saturday evening.
Take two: Legacy of siblings serving together in Legislature dates back a century
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In Minnesota, politics have long been a family affair, with members of the same families even serving alongside each other in the Legislature.
Week in Review: May 13-17
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A look back at what happened in the Minnesota House of Representatives the week of May 13-17.
With clock ticking down and no budget deal, a special session starts to look more likely
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Per the state constitution, the Legislature must wrap up its work by May 20 this year; however, as that time gets closer, it appears a special session will be needed.
Lawmakers, governor quiet as budget negotiations continue — and deadline draws near
By HPIS Staff
Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders have been tight-lipped Thursday as they again gathered in the State Capitol in an effort to hammer out a two-year budget deal.
Where will the Legacy money go? Conference committee starts talking
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How much money is the easy part. Where to put it is up for debate.
Unlike the proposed General Fund appropriations discussed by the governor and legislative leaders, the con...
State disaster contingency account: Five years of eliminating emergency special sessions
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Springtime often brings flooding to Minnesota — and that used to mean calling legislators back to St. Paul for emergency special sessions to appropriate disaster-relief funds. Then state lawmakers changed the law.
Pharmacy benefit manager oversight agreement approved in conference committee
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A conference committee focused on improving the oversight of pharmacy benefit managers finished its work Wednesday.
House OKs two-person crew requirement on state’s railways
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Some rail carriers in Minnesota would be required to have a crew of at least two people, under a bill passed Wednesday by the House.
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House DFL outlines $47.8 billion 2020-21 spending proposal
By Rachel Kats
The plan, dubbed the “Minnesota Values Budget,” would increase spending by $416.9 million over the 2020-21 biennium’s projected base budget.
Budget forecast: Projected surplus drops by almost $500 million, still tops $1 billion
By Mike Cook
The state has a $1.05 billion projected budget surplus for the upcoming biennium, Minnesota Management and Budget officials announced Thursday.
Walz budget would raise gas tax, emphasize education, health care
By Rob Hubbard
Education, health care and community prosperity are key targets for funding in the 2020-21 biennial budget proposed by Gov. Tim Walz.
Committee deadlines for 2019 unveiled
By Mike Cook
Legislators and the public officially know the timeline for getting bills through the committee process.
