Minnesota Budget Bites

As the 2013 Legislative Session closes, the final budget bills have been passed by the House and Senate. Last week the omnibus jobs, economic development and housing bill (House File 729) received its final vote in both houses, investing $89 million in additional general fund resources to strengthen the state’s economy by creating jobs, increasing workforce training opportunities and improving affordable housing options.

Governor Dayton, the House and Senate all made commitments this year to tax plans that would resolve the state’s budget deficit, fund investments and make the tax system less regressive. They had different priorities for how to get there, but they’ve agreed to an omnibus tax bill, House File 677, that maintains their commitment to those crucial goals.

For the state’s economy to grow, Minnesota needs to invest in a strong and stable workforce. The entire state benefits when Minnesotans have better access to education, specialized training and stable housing. The House and Senate omnibus economic development bills propose new investments to strengthen the workforce through more jobs, training and affordable housing options.

When the House and Senate released their committee targets in March, we were surprised that the health and human services budget division was required to cut $150 million in the House and $153 million in the Senate. After years of reductions to critical services for Minnesota’s most vulnerable, including $1 billion in cuts in the 2011 Legislative Session, we believed this year would offer an opportunity to start making up lost ground investing in our state’s health and well-being.