Budget forecast: Projected surplus drops by almost $500 million, still tops $1 billion
Expectations may need to be tempered by people and organizations seeking new or increased state spending in the 2020-21 biennium.
While the state’s $1.05 billion projected budget surplus for the 2020-21 biennium may sound like good news, that’s a $492 million decrease since November, Minnesota Management and Budget officials announced Thursday.
Commissioner Myron Frans called the 2019 February Budget and Economic Forecast “a cautionary tale” because while a positive balance is nice, state leaders must be cautious in how they proceed.
The projected surplus was $1.54 billion when the agency announced numbers three months ago.
Required by state law, the February forecast is one of two annual budget indicators released by the state after finishing a collaboration between agencies and economists who follow state and national trends. Legislators will use the forecast numbers to help shape policies for the remainder of the 2019 session, which must end by May 20.
The 2020-21 biennium begins July 1, 2019. Read more at Session Daily
Session Daily
Extra time: How Minnesota's special sessions work (5/21/2019 1:04:49 PM) Going to OT: Session ends but Legislature's business unfinished (5/21/2019 12:37:00 AM) Higher ed agreement bridges funding gap, heads for governor's desk (5/20/2019 11:39:23 PM) Agreed upon 'transformative piece of legislation' hopes to turn the tide on opiate addiction (5/20/2019 10:35:00 PM) Governor, legislative leaders agree to $48 billion biennial budget (5/19/2019 10:29:00 PM) Why do medical cannabis companies pay the highest corporate taxes in Minnesota? (5/19/2019 9:01:24 PM) Governor, legislative leaders to announce budget breakthrough (5/19/2019 5:52:14 PM) Budget talks: Still no deal in sight as 'cone of silence' continues (5/18/2019 7:18:00 PM) Take two: Legacy of siblings serving together in Legislature dates back a century (5/18/2019 1:01:19 PM) Week in Review: May 13-17 (5/17/2019 8:26:00 PM) With clock ticking down and no budget deal, a special session starts to look more likely (5/17/2019 8:05:00 PM)
Photography
This week's slideshow,
photo gallery and
Capitol area images
Live Video
Event Schedule
WEDNESDAY: House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division
Wednesday, May 22 2019 9:00 AM
Watch: Live Event
Informational hearing on Special Session Omnibus Agriculture, Housing and Rural Development Finance bill.
* No official votes will be taken.
* Nonpartisan staff walk-through of agriculture articles and spreadsheet.
* Please contact nancy.conley@house.mn if you would like to testify.
* Language will be posted later today.
The 2019 Regular Session of the Minnesota Legislature adjourned Mon., May 20 at midnight
Friday, May 24 2019 8:00 AM
Watch: Live Event
The 2019 Regular Session of the Minnesota Legislature adjourned Mon., May 20 at midnight.
2019 First Special Session information
Friday, May 24 2019 8:00 AM
Watch: Live Event
• Article IV, Section 12 of the Minnesota Constitution gives the governor the duty of calling the Legislature into special session: "A special session of the legislature may be called by the governor on extraordinary occasions”.
• Webcast coverage of interim House activities, including those leading up to, and during, a 2019 Special Session, will be provided by the Minnesota House of Representatives.
The 2020 Regular Session of the Minnesota Legislature is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Tuesday, February 11 2020 12:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
The Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leaders have agreed to convene the 2020 Regular Session of the Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 12 p.m.
News and Notes
The 2020 session is scheduled to begin Feb. 11, 2020.
Bill Introductions: HF2918-HF2921
For comparison
There were 2,722 House files introduced during the 2017 session; 2,379 in 2015; 1,862 in 2013; and 1,761 in 2011.
Did you know?
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Minnesota is the only state with a divided legislature in the 2019-20 biennium. The last time there was only one divided state legislature in the country was 1914.
Stay informed
Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Follow that bill
You can follow bills throughout the legislative process by signing up for MyBills, a personalized way to track House and Senate bills by number. Find more information on how to follow House and Senate bills here.
Resources
Want to contact your U.S. representative, the governor or a state agency? Click here for a roster of federal and state contacts.