Hello from St. Paul,
The 2025 regular legislative session has come to an end. Soon, a 2025 legislative special session will begin.
While lawmakers will need a small amount of overtime to finish approving a finalized statewide budget, the good news is all sides have agreed to a budget framework, which is the key to the entire process.
Numerous specific budget proposals were passed during the final days of session. For example, our agriculture finance bill was approved overwhelmingly this weekend, which I was pleased to see as it properly funds wolf and elk damage depredation payments.
Numerous other budget proposals remain outstanding. They include education, environment and natural resources, health and transportation. The good news is most of these bills were nearing House and Senate agreement prior to adjournment, so I expect more give and take will continue in the coming days.
Worth noting: the budget deal represents the largest cut to government spending in state history. It would wipe out nearly half of the projected budget deficit Democrats created when they grew government by 40% and raised taxes by $10 billion two years ago, and no Minnesota family will see a tax increase in this budget.
I will be sure to provide more updates on our progress in the days ahead. But I do expect Governor Walz to call a special session very soon and it will be for the sole purpose of completing our remaining budget work.