On Tuesday, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its semi-annual budget and economic forecast. The forecast was expected to be bleak as the state continues to navigate through the uncertainty of a restricted economy due to the spread of COVID-19. The analysis from MMB, however, shows an improved outlook with a projected budget surplus of $641 million for fiscal year 2020-2021.
The news should ease tensions between Governor Tim Walz and lawmakers who continue to develop strategies that will aid businesses and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 closures. The Governor has called on lawmakers to act quickly on a COVID-19 funding bill to provide relief, but no deal has been agreed to.
Despite positive news, the budget projection still forecasts a $1.273 billion shortfall in fiscal year 2022-2023 which means lawmakers will be seeking solutions to balance the state’s budget as required by law.
The full November forecast can be found here.
House Announces Committee Structure and Chairs
On Monday, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Center) announced the new House committee structure and chairpersons who will lead committees during the 2021-2022 biennium.
Although some gavels will remain the same, many have shifted due to legislative retirements and losses during the 2020 election. Committee membership has not yet been announced, but is expected to be made public in the next few weeks.
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Committee
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Chairperson
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Agriculture Finance
& Policy
|
Sundin
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Capital Investment
|
Lee
|
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Commerce Finance
& Policy
|
Stephenson
|
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Education Finance
|
Davnie
|
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Early Childhood Finance
& Policy
|
Pinto
|
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Education Policy
|
Richardson
|
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Environment & Natural Resources Finance & Policy
|
Hansen
|
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Climate & Energy Finance & Policy
|
Long
|
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State Government Finance & Policy
|
Nelson
|
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Local Government Division
|
Masin
|
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Health Finance & Policy
|
Liebling
|
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Preventative Health Policy Division
|
Freiberg
|
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Human Services Finance
& Policy
|
Schultz
|
|
Behavioral Health Policy Division
|
Fischer
|
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Higher Education Finance
& Policy
|
Bernardy
|
|
Housing Finance & Policy
|
Hausman
|
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Preventing Homelessness Division
|
Gomez
|
|
Labor, Industry, Veterans
& Military Affairs Finance
& Policy
|
Ecklund
|
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Workforce & Business Development Finance
& Policy
|
Noor
|
|
Industrial Education
& Economic Development Finance & Policy
|
Pelowski
|
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Judiciary Finance
& Civil Law
|
Becker-Finn
|
|
Legacy Finance
|
Lillie
|
|
Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform Finance & Policy
|
Mariani
|
|
Rules & Legislative Administration
|
Winkler
|
|
Subcommittee on Legislative Process
|
Pelowski
|
|
Taxes
|
Marquart
|
|
Property Tax Division
|
Youakim
|
|
Transportation Finance
& Policy
|
Hornstein
|
|
Ways & Means
|
Mmoran
|
|
Redistricting
|
Murhpy
|
Please reach out to any of the Larkin Hoffman Government Relations team members with any questions.