 Here’s the latest from the Capitol: Our Supplemental BudgetOfficials from Minnesota Management and Budget recently announced a new economic forecast showing a $3.715 billion surplus for the current biennium. Overall, we have our state on the right path, but despite the size of this surplus, I recognize working families and many communities, in St. Cloud and across Minnesota, are still facing challenges. Governor Walz, along with House and Senate leadership, recently agreed to a budget outline for the rest of the session. This budget would supplement the two-year budget we implemented last year, investing $447.5 million of the surplus to tackle some of our most pressing needs while keeping the bulk of the money on the bottom line so we can maintain our state’s strong financial outlook into the future. We need to invest in our communities while keeping an eye on our financial horizon - that’s the kind of measured, responsible budgeting that Minnesotans deserve. House committees will work to hammer out the specifics in the coming weeks. My committee work, specifically in the House’s Higher Education (where I serve as Vice Chair) and Labor committees, will be focused on crafting the supplemental budgets in these areas. In the Capital Investment Committee, though we will utilize some of the surplus, the sale of state bonds will largely fund our legislation that’ll invest in Minnesota’s infrastructure, including local projects in St. Cloud. I’ll be sure to update you on these bills as they go through the committee process. “From the Capitol” Radio InterviewBe sure to tune in to WJON every Wednesday at 10:40am, when I join Kelly Cordes to discuss the latest legislative news. This week, we covered the supplemental budget agreement reached by legislative leaders, my bill to help retain police officers, as well as my efforts to support 911 dispatchers. You can listen to our conversation here. |