Lawmakers learned this week they have a projected $1.5 billion surplus to work with over the next few months. But it remains to be seen whether the state’s good financial news will make their jobs easier or more difficult.

The House also passed a few high-profile bills this week to address issues such as insulin availability and cost, as well as a pair of firearms changes and voter data protection.

More important issues are scheduled be discussed in the days to come in what is shaping up to be a very busy next week. In addition to the regular House schedule, evening hearings are becoming more frequent, especially on days when no floor sessions are held.

Next Wednesday, March 4, already stands out, with a note on the public safety division webpage letting attendees know members will likely reconvene after their regular afternoon meeting and should “expect” to meet until midnight. The House Capital Investment Division may also have a late night, with an evening hearing that lists nearly 40 bills on the agenda.

But before we look too far ahead, here’s one last look at the last 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

Grant sought to study new poultry processing plant in southeastern Minnesota

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14101

Bill could require restaurants to serve milk, juice or water in kids' meals

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14122

BUDGET

State’s projected budget surplus grows to $1.5 billion in latest forecast

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14114

Should inflation be included on both sides of the budget forecast ledger?

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14092

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

Wedding artists looking for relief from costly licensing decision

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14119

CIVIL LAW

Saying access to reproductive care at risk, lawmaker seeks protections against anti-abortion protesters

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14117

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Border-to-border broadband program could see $30 million annual boost

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14107

Centers for Independent Living could reach more people with more funding, supporters say

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14097

Division OKs $30 million to replenish the state’s disaster contingency account

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14095

EDUCATION

Lunch shaming prevention bill heads to House Floor

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14128

More than 60,000 students could benefit from increased English learner funding, division hears

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14118

Governor's education policy plan proposes changes to teacher licensure

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14111

Trauma-sensitive educators can lead to better outcomes, committee hears

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14102

ELECTIONS

More federal dollars await to secure MN's elections systems — if lawmakers say OK

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14126

Primary election privacy push passes House

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14113

EMPLOYMENT 

How to help people with disabilities find more — and better — jobs? Collaboration, advocates say

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14127

Health care, hospitality jobs provide starting point for new Americans

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14115

Committee-approved bill would eliminate subminimum wage for disabled workers

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14110

ENERGY

Are solar gardens a success? Depends whom you ask

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14104

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

More rain, more problems … how much more money?

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14120

How’s the water? Not so great, says Clean Water Fund report card

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14106

Lawmakers look to ban TCE after Water Gremlin air quality case

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14096

Walz targets aging infrastructure, improving water quality with bonding pitch

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14093

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Price gouging targeted to cut cost of pharmaceutical drugs

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14123

House passes bill to create insulin assistance program

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14112

Proposed ban on flavored tobacco products targets teen vaping

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14109

Proposed program for people with dementia could increase support for caregivers

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14094

Starting Line: Bill could snuff out smoking in cars with kids present

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14091

PUBLIC SAFETY

House passes firearm-removal request measure

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14125

House OKs contentious gun background check bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14124

Auditor's report: ‘Deeply troubling' problems plague state’s prison system

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14108

Minnesota's constitution references slavery — but voters may have the chance to hit delete

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14100

RECREATION AND TOURISM

Push for skate park funds gets rolling with House division's approval

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14098

STATE GOVERNMENT

Grants sought to increase sensory accessibility accommodation

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14121

Considine will not run for re-election

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14105

Measure to include gender-neutral language in state constitution approved

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14099

TAXES

Student groups would avoid sales taxes under bills’ proposed changes

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14116

Revenue delivers updated tax expenditure report to House committee

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/14103