Updates from the Government Relations team are sent periodically during the legislative session
Budget agreement reached
$150 million target for higher education
Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders reached a bipartisan budget agreement this evening. The Governor, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, and Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, held a press conference earlier this evening, where all three leaders responded to questions from the press about not only the budget reached, but what happens next.


They said they are now leaving it up to conference committee chairs and commissioners to work out the details in public hearings tonight and tomorrow. The expectation is conference committees will wrap up their bills by 5:00 p.m. Monday. Speaker Hortman said it’s likely Gov. Walz will call the Legislature in for a special session Thursday to finish what they’re unable to do tonight and tomorrow.
 
All three leaders mentioned the strong funding for education, both K-12 and higher education. Speaker Hortman specifically mentioned that she fought hard for higher education in the negotiations. The higher education target is $150 million . The detail of the global agreement and conference committee framework can be found HERE .
 
The higher education conference committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow (Monday) at the call of the chair; however, they could still meet yet this evening. Stay tuned.
I mportant Links
  • Bill introductions as of May 15, 2019 can be found HERE
  • Committee schedules can be found HERE
  • Many committee hearings and floor sessions are streamed live via the web or broadcast on television. More information and a schedule can be found HERE
Government Relations team:
Bernie Omann –  Bernie.Omann@MinnState,edu
Melissa Fahning - Melissa.Fahning@MinnState.edu
Tina Firkus - T ina.Firkus@MinnState.edu