Ewald at the Capitol

House DFL Budget Targets

On Tuesday (March 23), House DFL leaders released the framework and targets for their budget proposal. The House DFL budget priorities include significant increases in funding for E-12 education and childcare; support for those who have been most impacted by COVID-19: students, families, and small businesses; and investments to improve economic security, including paid family leave, earned sick and safe time, affordable housing, and worker protection and support.

House DFL Committee Targets:

Education: $20.810 billion. $721.7 million increase from base.
Early Childhood: $715.785 million. $50 million increase from base.
Higher Education: $3.526 billion. $120 million increase from base.
Housing: $145.596 million. $30 million increase from base.
Workforce & Business Development: $285.322 million. $56.992 million increase from base.

Get a complete list of House DFL committee targets.

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

The House Health Finance and Policy Committee on Monday (March 22) held over HF2113 for possible omnibus bill inclusion by the committee. Sponsored by Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL-Deephaven), HF2113, as amended, would establish requirements for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and create programs to promote and measure equitable distribution to disproportionately impacted communities. The bill would also require the Minnesota Department of Health to establish a mobile vaccination program and publish or report on the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan, distribution of vaccines, funding for vaccines and response activities, as well as how disproportionately impacted communities are affected by the disease.

The bill’s senate companion, SF2051, awaits action by the Senate Health and Human Service Finance and Policy Committee. Sen. Matt Klein (DFL-Mendota Heights) is the sponsor.

Support for Farmer Outreach

The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee on March 24 laid over HF2298 for possible omnibus bill inclusion by the committee. HF2298, sponsored by Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL-Brooklyn Center), would allocate $300,000 next biennium to establish an emerging farmer office within the Department of Agriculture and hire a full-time emerging farmer outreach coordinator. That person would be required to connect ethnic minority and immigrant farmers to farming opportunities and programs throughout the state. The bill would also provide $500,000 in grants to the Hmong American Farmers Association and Latino Economic Development Center to support emerging farmers, and $400,000 to emerging farmers of color and people of color-led emerging-farmer organizations. As amended, it would also appropriate $10 million for urban-agriculture initiatives led by people of color to address fresh food access and food deserts.

Its Senate companion, SF2228, is sponsored by Sen. Foung Hawj (DFL-St. Paul) and awaits action by the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Finance and Policy Committee.

Nearing Third Deadline

House committees worked long hours this week on the majority of their various budget omnibus bills. The Senate’s budget omnibus bill committee work will primarily take place the week after Easter/Passover break. Both bodies must finish these up by the third deadline on Friday, April 9.

The Legislature will be in Easter/Passover break beginning Friday, March 26 and they will return Monday, April 5. The House will start hearing omnibus bills on the floor after this break.