Last week, the Minnesota Legislature adjourned sine die without passing major supplemental finance bills, a tax bill, or a bonding bill. Despite a historic budget surplus, legislators grappled with election year pressures coupled with no requirement to pass budget or bonding bills.
Only two smaller finance bills passed: the omnibus agriculture, broadband and drought relief supplemental finance and policy bill and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriations bill, which includes $19.4 million for 27 University of Minnesota projects.
In sum, the Minnesota Legislature introduced 4290 bills, but only 68 of these bills passed into law. Read the passed bills.
What’s next?
On Monday, May 23, Governor Walz, Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Miller met to discuss a special session; however, no agreement has been reached. Since the Minnesota state budget operates on a two-year cycle and already has a FY23 budget in place, there is no pressure of a state shutdown to call a special session. Additionally, legislators will quickly be consumed by campaign activities in their districts, and harder to call back to the State Capitol.
The Minnesota Legislature is scheduled to next convene on January 3, 2023.
Your advocacy matters
Thank you to everyone who contacted their elected officials, testified in committee hearings, and helped us provide information to legislators. Although the outcome was disappointing, your efforts made an impact at the State Capitol and will continue to serve us as future state funding and partnership opportunities arise.