Lawmakers hardly missed a beat this week, picking up where they left off before the Easter/Passover break with a slate of meetings that included Thursday’s House Ways and Means Committee hearing where this year’s budget targets were set.
With those numbers in hand, committees can now dig into the specifics of this year’s omnibus budget bills, and they will be racing to meet the April 20 third committee deadline by when major appropriation and finance bills must be acted upon.
But before looking too far ahead, let’s look back at what you may have missed this week.
Check out the latest gallery from House Photography and stay up-to-date on House news and updates throughout the week at Session Daily.
AGRICULTURE
Proposed buffer fine draws fierce criticism — and an apology
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13234
BUDGET
Tax relief focus of House budget targets
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13232
BUSINESS AND COMMERCE
Don’t blink — bill would rescind a 2-year-old eyelash extension licensing law
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13238
House OKs measure to require contractors, insurers to provide clearer information
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13239
Bill amending credit union internal governance, guidelines for expelling members passes House
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13240
EDUCATION
Starting Line: Lawmaker offers proposal to strengthen civics knowledge
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13211
Special ed, pre-k funding, school safety top governor’s E-12 supplemental budget proposal
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13221
Committee considers quick fix for special education cross-subsidy issue
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13231
Pregnant and parenting teens could benefit from expanded transportation services
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13242
ELECTIONS
Proposed primary shift meets concern from secretary of state
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13223
ENERGY
Bill to remove state’s solar energy goal would send ‘powerful signal,' state official tells lawmakers
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13243
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
A second attempt at funding water quality projects axed from 2017 Legacy bill
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13213
Updated water act would expand financial assistance for local projects
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13214
Landfill legislation seeks to balance environmental, financial concerns
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13224
Solid waste collection bill heads to Senate
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13237
FAMILY
Committee hears plan to address child care crisis in Greater Minnesota
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13229
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Committee looks at Little Falls opioid reduction as a model for hospitals
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13222
Lawmakers engage in heated exchanges as committee considers new SNAP benefit requirements
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13227
Funding sought to keep suicide hotline open
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13241
HIGHER EDUCATION
Tuition freezes, campus support top governor’s higher ed supplemental spending wish list
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13218
How to solve the skilled-workforce shortage? Lawmakers consider going back to the basics
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13230
MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS
Where to build MN's next vets home? Lawmakers face tough call in possible bonding proposal
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13212
PUBLIC SAFETY
Keeping safe in digital age focus of two bills held over by House committee
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13215
State seeks more funding to advocate for childrens' welfare in court
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13219
Bill would toughen state penalties on child porn offenders
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13225
Bill targets prostitution customers with tougher penalties
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13235
RECREATION AND TOURISM
House passes modifications to carbon monoxide detector requirements on boats
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13236
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
High-speed internet 'as necessary to my education as a pen and paper,' advocates of broadband expansion tell lawmakers
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13233
STATE GOVERNMENT
Report highlights former IT official’s missteps — but he points to agency’s wider shortcomings
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13217
Lawmakers hear $30 million request for Capitol security upgrades
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13220
Lawmakers' attempt to make MN.IT ‘more efficient’ worries agency head
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13226
TAXES
Tax credits could become a tool in fixing Minnesota’s child care crisis
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/13216
Cities could see $30 million increase in local government aid