Update from the Capitol - May 2019
With less than a week until the legislature must adjourn the legislative session, conference committees and budget negotiations will continue through the coming weekend. However, while Gov. Walz and legislative leaders shared in some weekend camaraderie, a final agreement has yet to be reached.
Adding to the excitement over this past weekend, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released an updated revenue forecast in an effort to assist legislators in finalizing the budget. MMB revealed the state’s revenue increased nearly $500 million over the past month, a sizeable shift that should assist legislative leadership settle their varying budget priorities.
The two significant issues that remain a point of contention between the bodies include the healthcare provider tax increase and a proposed gasoline tax increase. The increased state budget announcement should provide an avenue to reach a budget compromise in the coming days. Until an agreement is reached, the conference committees will continue negotiating their bills, but will be unable to finalize any legislation.
The legislature must adjourn by midnight Monday, May 20 regardless of any ongoing negotiations.
Sourcewell (formerly National Joint Powers Alliance) is a self-supporting government organization, partnering with education, government, and nonprofits to boost student and community success. Created in 1978 as one of Minnesota’s nine service cooperatives, we offer training and shared services to our central-Minnesota members. Throughout North America, we offer a cooperative purchasing program with over 325 awarded vendors on contract. Sourcewell is driven by service and the ability to strategically reinvest in member communities.