House MN
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
Week in Review: March 18-22 (3/22/2019 2:43:00 PM) House OKs using leashed dogs to help hunters find wounded game (3/21/2019 6:05:38 PM) House passes bill that would change legal definition of sexual harassment (3/21/2019 5:43:00 PM) Walz transportation plan -- and its gas tax hike -- sets up debate over how to fund state's road, transit needs (3/21/2019 5:14:00 PM) Bill would help buses dump the diesel and go electric (3/21/2019 4:59:00 PM) House panel approves 'more inclusive' firefighter licensing regulations (3/21/2019 3:45:07 PM) Need help with your taxes? Bill would expand free preparation services (3/21/2019 3:15:55 PM) Expiring School Readiness Plus program could be made permanent (3/21/2019 3:11:37 PM) Safety net for grain producers proposed following elevator fraud (3/21/2019 2:35:07 PM) Minnesota Zoo seeks $25 million for infrastructure, exhibit updates (3/21/2019 12:35:47 PM) Bill aims to ensure 911 dispatchers can give CPR instructions or transfer to someone who can (3/21/2019 12:16:43 PM)
Photography
This week's slideshow,
photo gallery and
Capitol area images
Live Video
Event Schedule
No programming
Friday, March 22 2019 8:00 AM
Watch: Live Event
No programming
House Ways and Means Committee - part 1
Monday, March 25 2019 9:45 AM
Watch: Live Event
HF1733 (Poppe) Omnibus Agriculture and Food Policy bill.
HF1974 (Nelson) Outdated budget-related language updated and deleted, and technical changes made.
HF1975 (Nelson) State solicitation process best and final offer modified.
HF810 (Heinrich) World War I Minnesota veterans plaque authorized to be placed in Capitol grounds court of honor.
HF492 (Dettmer) Traffic violations that cause great bodily harm or death to another misdemeanor established.
* Bills may be added.
* The Committee will meet during the regular morning meeting time to consider bills on the agenda and then recess; it will reconvene one hour after the House Floor Session adjourns to take up the House Budget Resolution.
House Property and Local Tax Division
Monday, March 25 2019 12:45 PM
Watch: Live Event
HF2646 (Xiong, T.) Property tax deadlines modified.
HF2650 (Marquart) Public finance; section governing bonds, drainage lien interest, school and private activity bonds notice requirements, transportation bonds, and municipal bankruptcy modified.
HF1468 (Davids) State agricultural society outstanding debt allowed maximum increased, and state fair purposes debt issuance authority sunset repealed.
HF2387 (Murphy) Public Employees Retirement Association increased employer contributions funding from state aid to local governments extended.
HF2620 (Drazkowski) Charitable farmland property tax exemption established.
HF2612 (Loeffler) Local sales and use taxes imposition requirements amended.
HF121 (Hertaus) Land use for environmental benefits defined as an agricultural purpose.
HF398 (Poppe) Agricultural homestead rules for trust-owned properties modified, service and filing of defense or objection to real and personal property taxes provisions modified.
Session Daily Update
Monday, March 25 2019 3:25 PM
Watch: Live Event
Session Daily Update
House Floor Session
Monday, March 25 2019 3:30 PM
Watch: Live Event
CALENDAR FOR THE DAY.
HF85 (Brand) Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board required to propose guidelines authorizing patient-assisted medication administration in emergencies.
House Ways and Means Committee - part 2*
Monday, March 25 2019 5:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
* Committee will reconvene one hour after House Floor Sessions adjourns .
House Budget Resolution.
APRIL 3: State of the State Address by Governor Tim Walz
Wednesday, April 3 2019 7:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Governor Tim Walz will deliver his first State of the State Address before a Joint Convention of the House and Senate from the House Chamber in the State Capitol.
News and Notes
The 2019 Legislature must end by May 20.
Easter/Passover break
The 2019 Easter/Passover break will begin Saturday, April 13, and go through Monday, April 22. Legislative activity may resume at 8 a.m. April 23.
Committee deadlines for 2019
- Friday, March 15 — Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin.
- Friday, March 29 — Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body.
- Friday, April 12 — Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills.
Bill Introductions: HF2638-2675
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.
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