Hello from the State Capitol,
Following several days of very long floor sessions, the Minnesota House majority wrapped up its budget approval process. All areas within state government, transportation, K-12 Education, etc., have had proposed budgets debated before the full House. The final proposal was health and human services, a massive 1,000-page bill that, if signed into law, would increase spending by more than $256 million over the next two years. Total spending for the next biennium: more than $19 billion.
This was one of many budget bills that lawmakers tried to improve, but often failed. Even though House Democrats had the numbers to vote any amendment down, the Speaker often ruled any Republican suggestions out of order to save her caucus from taking potentially difficult votes.
Fortunately, from my perspective, none of the House majority’s proposals will become law as-is. House and Senate negotiators will work on compromise plans in all spending areas and eventually present them to both bodies for approval. Once that happens, those compromise plans will be sent to Governor Walz for his signature.
As stated last week, I really hope I can vote for these proposals when they return from the conference committees. But in order for that to happen, many partisan, and in some cases controversial, proposals will need to fall by the wayside.
ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE FUNDING APPROVED
On Tuesday, both the House and Senate approved $7.8 million to provide funding for additional public safety assistance related to civil unrest costs. $1.5 million would head to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for additional public safety assistance through the Interstate Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC); and $6.3 million to DPS for State Patrol Trooper expenses.
This funding is necessary in order to repay the states of Nebraska and Ohio, as well as the State Patrol and DNR Conservation Officers, for additional law enforcement support that was necessary due to the handing down of the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial.
I was pleased to see, in a bipartisan show of support for our law enforcement, all Republicans in the House and Senate voted in favor. The only no votes came from mostly Metro Area Democrats in both bodies.
OUT AND ABOUT……
Hastings city officials tell me that planning has begun on restoring the historic Hastings City Hall. You’ll recall I carried legislation that provided state asset preservation funding for this project. While plans are moving forward, it’s not expected that actual work will begin on the city hall building until next year.
The Cottage Grove Police Department also has good news to report. Out of 72 K9 teams competing in the Region 18 United States Police Canine Association Narcotics Certification a few days ago, 5 received perfect 200-point scores. Cottage Grove K9 Gunnar and his handler, Sgt. Torning, were one of the five and they placed 3rd overall based on their search time! Congratulations!
Looking to get out this weekend? Both Cottage Grove and Hastings have citywide garage sales going on. For a map of participants in Cottage Grove, click here and in Hastings click here. Thanks to the Hastings Journal and Cottage Grove Journal for organizing them.
Have a good weekend,
Tony