Capitol Letter for May 16, 2022
The Capitol Letter™ is a recurring publication that provides reports from LWV Minnesota volunteer Observer Corps and Lobby Corps members on what is happening in the current legislative session.
Breaking News
As we enter the final week of the MN Legislature, House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL–St. Louis Park), Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller (R–Winona), Gov. Tim Walz, and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announce a framework for a budget agreement, paving the way to the end of the legislative session.
Here’s the story from Monday morning, May 16, 2022:
“On Monday in St. Paul, the sun is shining, the sky is bright blue and Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders have reached agreement on a framework to end the 2022 legislative session.
The deal calls for $4 billion toward a tax bill and a $1.4 billion capital investment bill. It also includes additional spending of $1 billion in education, $1 billion for health care and human services, and $450 million for public safety. Additional investments are to come from a $1.32 billion pot. Left on the bottom line is $4 billion to help the state manage future economic uncertainty.
‘There’s an awful lot of the hard work of democracy to be done this week, but the parameters have been set and they’ve been done in a way that I think should make Minnesotans proud,’ Walz said.
Added House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL–Golden Valley): ‘We are looking at a budget agreement today that will help Minnesotans better afford the cost of living, to help them afford child care and housing. We’re looking at a budget agreement to help Minnesotans recover from two of the toughest years in our state’s history. … Investments contained in this budget agreement will make big differences in the lives of millions of people.’”
New Action Alert
Please take note of and participate in our latest action alert related to our positions on the various elections’ legislation. The alert also provides a link to our recent letter sent to the members of the State Government Conference Committee.
Climate Change
Environment conference committee has major funding differences
The state’s omnibus environment and natural resources supplemental finance and policy bill has a $241.2 million difference between the House and Senate versions. Seeking funding from the surplus, particularly to unlock federal funds, the DNR, MPCA, and Board of Water and Soil Resources all support the House version that includes over $50 million each in funding for natural climate adaptations, ash tree replacement, and water storage, among other conservation measures. Chairman Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R–Alexandria) has justified that this session is a “non-budget year”, but Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL–South St. Paul) fired back that nature doesn’t care.
Agriculture initiatives supported in conference committee
Sen. Torrey Westrom (R–Elbow Lake), whose proposal is $55 million less than his co-sponsor Rep. Mike Sundin (DFL–Esko), has agreed that supportive agriculture policies are needed. While they differ on the level of funding, livestock processing and meat processing education, agriculture innovation, helping emerging farmers, and supporting the Forever Green Initiative are shared priorities between the lawmakers. Another difference in the bills is the Senate’s does not include a farm down payment assistance grant program, prohibiting plastic-coated fertilizer and pesticides, and regulating seed treated with neonicotinoids. Rep. Sundin is hopeful to convince Sen. Westrom of their importance so they can be included in his as well.
Other Legislative News
Long agenda awaits legislature’s final week
There is just one week left of this year’s session. The divided legislature has made a multibillion-dollar deal to replenish unemployment insurance funds and to send checks to frontline workers. There still remains over $3 billion in the state’s surplus. Republicans are adamant on imposing permanent tax cuts and to return the surplus, while DFLers have favored issuing one-time tax rebates. There is also the issue of public safety, as voters on both sides of the aisle are hoping to see some legislation passed. Senate Republicans currently want to toughen sentences on carjackers and repeat offenders, in addition to allocating funds for grants to recruit police officers. House DFLers, on the other hand, are pushing for community nonprofit grants and officer outreach in high-crime areas. When it comes to education, Republicans focus on funding a literacy initiative. DFL lawmakers want to expand pre-k programs and hire more mental health workers.
Legislators could run out of time to find an agreement on some of the hottest issues this session and return to the campaign trail. Governor Walz has not indicated that he’ll call lawmakers back for a special session.
NOTE - LWVMN will be hosting a special edition of the Capitol Letter next week, as we begin to track the results from this Legislative Session. We will also be hosting a Zoom update in early June.