Week in Review: April 17-21

When lawmakers return Monday, they will have four weeks to work with Gov. Mark Dayton in crafting a 2018-19 biennial state budget.

Some of the heaviest lifting began in earnest this week as conference committees in nearly every budget area had introductory meetings, primarily reviews of spreadsheets and policy provisions House and Senate conferees are bringing to the negotiating table. Some areas are far apart, others not as much.

The next key step will be agreement between Dayton and legislative leaders on joint committee targets. In a March 13 letter, Dayton requested that joint targets be established by April 28.

Before looking ahead to next week; let’s take a look at what you may have missed this week.

Check out the latest gallery from House Photography and stay up-to-date on House news and updates throughout the week at Session Daily.

BUDGET

‘Inefficient and efficient at the same time’: It’s conference committee season

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12783

BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

House OKs limits to life insurance policies by suspected terrorists

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12787

Cost-saving measure for credit unions, members now moves to Senate

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12789

House passes data changes, background checks for appraisers

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12790

Bill subjecting commission sales reps to state law passes House

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12791

Government audits of insurance companies gets House OK

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12792

EDUCATION

Ed finance omnibus bill conference committee digs into details, seeks unified proposal

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12781

ENVIRONMENT

Starting Line: Seeking ways to prevent wolf-livestock conflicts in Greater Minnesota

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12777

HIGHER EDUCATION

Higher ed conference group begins to hash out policy differences

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12788

PUBLIC SAFETY

Funding differences, concerns aplenty as public safety conferees begin their work

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12793

STATE GOVERNMENT

$61 million and plenty of policy separates House, Senate state government bills

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12795

House recognizes research, fiscal departments for 50 years of service

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12786

Panel hears how Real ID compliance bills differ

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12780

House ethics panel stands at ready to self-police

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12778

House minority leader responds with own protest and dissent

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12779

TAXES

Omnibus tax bill repurposes some 2016 vetoed provisions, adds some new

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12785

TRANSPORTATION

House, Senate negotiators tackle transportation bills in hopes of finding a deal

http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12784