Week in Review: March 20-24

Omnibusfest was in full swing this week as numerous House finance committees unveiled their all-encompassing omnibus bills: agriculture, education, environment, higher education, jobs and economic development, public safety, taxes, and transportation.

Some committees approved their measures, while others are expected to do so early next week in advance of the final committee deadline March 31 when committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills. The deadline does not apply to the House Capital Investment, Ways and Means, Taxes or rules committees.

It was more than just funding measures, however, with other issues addressed including Appleton prison, e-filing of state taxes, foster family insurance, MNsure and voting equipment.

Before looking ahead to next week let’s take a look at what you may have missed this week.

Check out the latest gallery from House Photography and stay up-to-date on House news and updates throughout the week at Session Daily.

AGRICULTURE

Ag committee approves omnibus agriculture finance bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12727

Hearing begins on omnibus agriculture finance bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12711

BUDGET

Dayton wants a new transportation bill, criticizes reinsurance proposal

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12710

House Republicans outline $46.3 billion spending plan

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12699

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

Public weighs in on reinsurance but no finalized plan this week

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12729

More insurance protection sought for foster families

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12707

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Omnibus jobs and energy bill mixes shrimp farming, nuclear payments

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12724

EDUCATION

Omnibus education finance bill approved during contentious hearing

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12728

Omnibus education finance bill offers opportunity in some areas, closes doors in others

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12714

ELECTIONS

Aging voting equipment could get $14 million makeover

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12720

Campaign finance board could lose all rulemaking authority

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12705

ENERGY

Biomass contracts could be rejiggered

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12709

Electricity generated from rooftop solar panels could count toward state goal

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12701

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Omnibus environment bill clears first hurdle

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12725

Omnibus environment bill spares EQB, but makes significant changes

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12719

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Simplified reimbursement measures sought for short-term crisis stays

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12722

MNsure repeal revisited, in the running for inclusion in omnibus bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12714

Minnesota Index: Aging in Minnesota

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12700

HIGHER EDUCATION

Omnibus higher education bill offers funding increases, debt help for students

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12718

‘Starting Line’: In the top 10 percent? You’re in

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12698

PUBLIC SAFETY

Omnibus public safety bill calls for more spending; gun, protester changes

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12717

Committee holds over plan to house prisoners at Appleton facility

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12706

Recent bomb threats spark call to help fund security grants

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12708

TAXES

Soccer stadium help attached to omnibus tax bill heading to Ways and Means

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12726

Omnibus tax bill priorities lay out $1.3 billion in tax relief

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12721

Tax relief aimed at young and old, GOP leaders say

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12712

Proposal for e-filing state taxes, early education director merge into one bill

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12716

House property tax proposal leaves cities behind, but helps business

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12703

STATE GOVERNMENT

Dayton wants a new transportation bill, criticizes reinsurance proposal

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12710

TRANSPORTATION

Omnibus transportation bill starts its drive toward House Floor

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12723

House GOP lays out $6 billion map for road and bridge construction

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12704

Metro officials, transit agencies warn of big setbacks under GOP transportation plan

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12715

School bus stop arm violations could become pricier

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12702