This week the Minnesota Legislature passed the state’s final budget bills….here are some highlights of work accomplished.
Emergency Powers Removed! Emergency Powers are finally over—the Minnesota Senate & House both voted to end the Governor’s Peacetime Emergency Powers this week. Governor Walz’s powers are officially over July 1.
Housing Budget—Eviction Moratorium Off-Ramp
The Minnesota Senate passed the Housing Budget, which focused on helping Minnesotans attain homeownership by removing barriers to construction, encouraging more diversity in the housing stock, and supporting first-time and low-income home buyers. The bill also resolves issues caused by the eviction moratorium by providing an off-ramp for housing providers and renters impacted by the moratorium over the past 15 months.
“Ensuring Minnesotans have the best opportunity to provide a stable, safe place to sleep at night for their families is the goal of this bill. We must work hard to provide resources for first-time buyers, renters, and housing providers. With this bill, resources will be more accessible and create more opportunities for homeownership.”
The eviction moratorium was put into place 15 months ago as the pandemic began to impact renters. This moratorium has been a large block in ending emergency powers and this bill will resolve that issue and provide protections to those facing hardship while allowing housing providers to remove tenants in violation of lease agreements. As rental assistance is dispersed via RentHelpMN—this change will encourage tenants to use the resources available while making housing providers whole after a difficult year.
Jobs & Economic Budget—Provides Business & Economic Recovery
The Minnesota Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support passed the Jobs & Economic Growth bill. The bill prioritizes economic recovery for the entire state and helping Minnesotans get back to work, without adding new burdens or regulations that would hinder small business from recreating jobs. The bill focuses on economic recovery, workforce training and business development services—and addresses the shortage of childcare in many communities.
“Our state has faced some challenging times, and I’m proud this budget focuses on removing barriers to employment and getting people trained today for the jobs of tomorrow—and it’s focused on helping all Minnesotans work towards economic recovery.”
Northwest Angle—this is a small, but an important part of Minnesota, the area is only reachable in the Summer by crossing over the Canadian border and unfortunately, they have been isolated since March of last year. Their economy has been decimated…so long as the Canadian border remains closed—they are unreachable. The Jobs bill offers a lifeline in the form of grants for 14 resorts located in the Northwest Angle…these resorts are important to our state’s tourism industry. The area needs our help—and I am pleased we could support these Minnesotans!
Education Budget Fully Funds Schools & Focuses on Students
The Minnesota Senate on Wednesday approved a bipartisan comprehensive Education Budget that fully funds our schools, emphasizes student literacy, provides quality education and opportunities for students, and empowers parents.
This education budget addresses the top request of public schools and offers historic levels of funding in lieu of overreaching mandates. This budget also presents the largest student formula increase in 15 years, of which, more than 80% of the new funding is placed on the state education formula. Money will be sent directly to local school districts, allowing them the flexibility to spend based on each district’s specific needs.
“Education is the foundation of our students’ futures, and this budget shows our commitment to ensuring their success. Parents, kids, and teachers have been tested throughout the last year, and this bill provides school districts the resources needed to help students recover.”
Notably omitted from the final language were DFL proposals including implementation of new Social Studies standards for the 2021-2022 school year, the promotion of critical race theory in curriculum, and rollbacks of reforms regarding teacher licensure.
Save Women’s Sports Legislation: “I am disappointed my Save Women’s Sports bill was not included in the final education bill…however, we will pursue the conversation again next year.”
Other key provisions included in the final bill: Grants to increase teachers of color and American Indian teachers; expansion of the successful LETRS teacher training program & Inclusion of provisions to support student mental health—including a grant to the organization LiveMore, ScreenLess to address the effects of social media and screen time overuse and misuse.
Commitment to Public Safety & Law Enforcement
The Minnesota Senate approved final passage of a comprehensive Judiciary & Public Safety budget that funds core functions of government and prioritizes the safety of all Minnesotans. Also included in the bill is key language that upholds the Senate’s support of law enforcement organizations.
The Public Safety budget provides significant support for first responders through pay raises for law enforcement officers and investments in training programs to help Minnesotans in the field. To keep Minnesotans safe, there are expansions included for the Violent Crime Enforcement Teams, which investigate serious crimes such as gangs and drug trafficking.
“By passing this bill, the Senate is reaffirming its commitment to public safety and supporting our law enforcement organizations and first responders. Minnesotans across the state deserve to feel protected, and our law enforcement officers need our continued support to make that happen. Officers put their lives on hold and work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, and they deserve our support now more than ever—this bill shows our officers that we support them, and we have their backs.”
Other key provisions: Stiffens penalties for attempted murder of a public safety official; Requires 911 operators to include social service crisis teams for mental health calls; Increases safety protections for confidential informants; Financial support, training & resources for firefighters; Ignition interlocks for repeat DUI offenders; Tightening cases where no-knock warrants may be used; Provides increased support for body cameras for law enforcement agencies; Database improvements to track officer conduct through the Police Officer Standards and Training Board.
Senate Approves Nearly a Billion in Tax Cuts for Minnesota!
The Minnesota Senate approved a bipartisan $944 million tax bill aimed at jump-starting the economy and helping workers and small business owners recover from COVID-19. The bill does not include any of the significant tax hikes proposed by Governor Walz or Democrats in the House of Representatives, both of whom proposed raising taxes by over $1 billion, including the creation of a fifth-tier income tax.
The bill empowers Minnesotans and encourages economic growth with two top priorities for workers championed by Senate Republicans all year: full conformity to federal tax rules for the forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans many businesses used to survive the pandemic, including deductions for expenses, and full conformity for federal pandemic unemployment benefits up to $10,200. Conforming to these federal rules lowers taxes for those affected so they are not taxed on money sent by the federal government to help them get by during the pandemic.
This tax bill includes several provisions to help the state’s job creators and businesses invest and grow. Main street businesses will see lower property taxes because of this bill through the lowering of the statewide property tax levy—and we end a budgeting gimmick that forces businesses to pay sales tax payments for the month of July in June. These provisions will help businesses increase capital to reinvest in their companies and employees.
May our beautiful country always flourish and celebrate its independence…wishing you all a blessed July Fourth!
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Have a great start to your weekend!
As always please feel free to contact my office with any questions you might have. My office can be reached by phone at (651) 296-4913 or at sen.carrie.ruud@senate.mn.
Talk to you soon!
Carrie Ruud