Week in Review: Feb. 28-March 4

There’s an English proverb that says March comes in like a lion and goes out like lamb. But this week’s budget forecast was decidedly bullish with the news that Minnesota now enjoys a $9.2 billion surplus. Lawmakers will now roll up their sleeves and dig in to the spreadsheets over the days to come. 

That work will continue next week with more than 30 hearings already on the House schedule, including four on Monday: the agriculture, education policy, health, and workforce and business development committees, each set to begin at 1 p.m.

But before looking too far into the future, here’s another look at what you may have missed this week.

[WATCH Weekly recap on YouTube]

AGRICULTURE
Proposed tax on wine shippers aims to grow MN wine industry, sponsor says

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17165

BUDGET

State’s projected budget surplus swells to $9.25 billion

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17164

CIVIL LAW

House lawmaker calls for state to nix proposed access fee on public court records

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17186

CLIMATE

House bill proposes study of statewide strategy to slash emissions

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17171

COMMERCE

Legislation to arm used car buyers with information receives bipartisan support

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17192

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Emerging developers program would offer access to capital, help close wealth gap, supporters say

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17168

EDUCATION

Interpreter requirement change is sought to help break barriers in education

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17191

Committee considers bill to expand access to MN school-age care programs

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17189

Proposal to increase mental health access in public schools advances

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17185

Bill seeks automatic inflation adjustment for school funding formulas

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17180

Closing state's achievement gap a top aim of Walz's K-12 budget proposal

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17167

ELECTIONS
House committee votes along party lines for election security appropriations

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17194

EMPLOYMENT

Incentives for college students proposed as way to help reduce personal care workforce shortage

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17177

ENERGY

With renewable energy storage in infancy, House panel looks at bill laying out state standards

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17188

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Rural well water needs same health safeguards as city water, bill sponsor says

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17184

Environment panel OKs $155 million in Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17174

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

State-of-the-art simulation center could be vital to state’s health care workforce

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17181

Ban on conversion therapy clears House division

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17178

Funding sought for community groups to train informal child care providers

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17173

HIGHER EDUCATION

U of M seeks funding to boost support for low-, middle-income students

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17176

Proposal would let locked intensive residential centers fill treatment gap

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17172

HOUSING

‘Dustin Luke Shields Act’ would increase lead testing in rental housing

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17170

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Private property I&I prevention could be partially publicly funded under bill going to governor

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17166

MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

More National Guard, reserve soldiers could qualify for veteran designation on MN licenses, ID cards

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17182

PUBLIC SAFETY

Changes to Board of Pardons would bring more efficiency and more mercy, bill sponsor says

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17196

New office would address ‘urgent crisis’ of missing, murdered Black women and girls

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17190

Bill would establish a minor’s right to legal counsel in police interrogations

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17175

STATE GOVERNMENT

Sundin will not seek re-election in 2022

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17195

Bill would require review of MN’s compliance with ERA

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17187

Committee OKs preliminary professional licensing applications

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17169

TAXES

Property tax refunds could grow under proposed changes

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17183

Historic structure tax credit would be extended under held over bill

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17179

TRANSPORTATION

House passes bill requiring audit of Southwest LRT project overruns, delays

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/SessionDaily/Story/17193