Dear Neighbors,
The House approved our state budget proposals. The Legislature is now negotiating differences between the House and Senate budget plans in conference committees. Frankly, we are at a very frustrating point.
This is happening as House and Senate leadership and Governor Walz meet to discuss the big picture budget framework that will in turn help conference committees finish their work. Under previous Republican control, the weeks leading up to the end of session have been chaotic, disorganized, and it’s often not clear to the public how the process is going. To combat the confusion and promote transparency, Governor Walz and legislative leaders created several self- imposed deadlines in May, leading up to our constitutional adjournment on the May 20.
Unfortunately we are now more than a week past the previously agreed to deadline for a global budget agreement. The Senate GOP declined to meet most of last week and when they did meet Sunday evening they did not provide any proposal.
Monday the Senate GOP did propose increasing funding in education an additional $75 million and in the Public Safety area an additional $25 million, but paying with it out of dedicated monies for health care. While this is some progress at this writing, it’s hard to take it as serious effort by the GOP. The Governor has responded by decreasing his proposed gas tax increase 20%. There is growing speculation on the potential of the GOP forcing the legislature into a special session through their inaction. Sunday the StarTribune published a column by retired Capitol reporter Lori Sturdevant on the “just say no” status quo. I’d recommend reading it.
Here’s a review of some key components to the House’s state budget:
Affordable Housing
The approved House Housing budget includes agriculture funding as well. The House DFL’s budget delivers a $26 million funding increase for housing opportunities, supports Minnesota’s agriculture industries, and invests in food access programs including Farm to School programming supporting school districts buying more food from local farmers. I hope we can increase our affordable housing investments if the Senate agrees to some form of revenue other than raiding the Health Care Access Fund.
Jobs/Energy
The House Jobs and Energy budget prioritizes initiatives such as Paid Family and Medical Leave and Earned Sick and Safe Time. It also includes stronger worker protections against wage theft. Additionally, I’m pleased to share this area of the budget has included my bill that would cap the interest rate and annual fee on predatory payday loans.
A cornerstone of the House DFL Jobs and Energy budget is establishing a pathway to adopt 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2050. This transition would reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels and encourage the use of clean energy alternatives. Even major companies such as Cargill and Target are asking the legislature to address climate change through clean energy. You can read more about their position here.
Environment and Natural Resources
The House Environment & Natural Resources budget addresses long-term problem-solving to environmental issues facing our state, such as prevention of emerald ash borer spread; management of aquatic invasive species; control the outbreak of chronic wasting disease; as well waste management improvement, and reduction the use of plastic.
My bill to create an Office of Outdoor Recreation, supporting the outdoor recreation economy of our state, and aims to create more equitable access to the outdoors, has been incorporated into the Environment and Natural Resources budget.
Public Safety
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, the House DFL has included gun violence prevention measures in our Public Safety budget. Compromise with the Senate is the ultimate goal, but not at the cost of Minnesotans’ safety. A bipartisan effort to give judges discretion to reduce or waive fines and fees for traffic, parking and minor criminal violations based on financial hardship is included in the budget.
Minnesota has the fifth-highest probation rate in the nation along with significant racial and regional disparities. This area of the budget addresses this through a five-year cap on terms (except for the most serious offenses).
You can review the fact sheets to our Minnesota Value Budget here.
While some of the budget will change as differences are sorted with the Republican-led Senate, I’ll keep fighting for an equitable budget that reflects and represents our values as Minnesotans.
Upcoming Town Hall
I hope you’ll be able to attend our upcoming Senate District 63 End of Session Town Hall. Senator Torres Ray, Representative Wagenius and I will be providing a post session recap and would love to hear your views. All are welcome. Details are listed below:
- Saturday, June 8 at 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the Corcoran Recreation Center in Minneapolis, 3334 20th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55407
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out with questions, comments, or feedback. Your input is especially crucial as we approach the final week of session.
Sincerely,
Jim Davnie
State Representative