Ewald at the Capitol

April 28, 2017

ewald at the capitol

Ewald Government Relations Team House and Senate leadership asked that David Ewald Negotiations Have Begun 651-290-6276 Gov. Mark Dayton agree to this timeline next Over the past month, the House and Senate [email protected] week: on Monday, May 1 the conference have passed their major finance bills off Nick de Julio their respective floors and have appointed committee reports will be finished and 651-290-6286 conference committee members to negotiate on Thursday, May 4, budget targets will [email protected] the differences between the positions of the be released that are agreed upon by the Valerie Dosland two chambers. The committees have been House, Senate, and Governor. Next week, 651-265-7857 [email protected] meeting over the past two weeks to become Gov. Dayton will enter into the discussions familiar with the various versions of the to support his position. Dayton previously Patrick Lobejko released a revised two-year state budget 651-290-7473 omnibus bills and have begun the work of [email protected] reconciling the differences in their positions. proposal in March following the February Jess Myers budget forecast. On Friday, April 28, the House and Senate 651-290-7465 [email protected] Republicans announced that they had agreed Just over three weeks remain for the three to joint budget targets for the major areas of sides to reach an agreement on the state Troy Olsen budget to avoid a special session to put a 651-288-3424 state government. The updated state budget [email protected] would total $44.8 billion over the next two two-year state budget in place by July 1. If no agreement is met by July 1, there will be a Becca Pryse years (that figure does not include a $1.15 651-265-7858 billion tax relief package and $300 million government shutdown. [email protected] in transportation funding). Speaker of the Owen Wirth House Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) also stated Legacy Bill Heads to Conference 651-288-3438 [email protected] that this budget would allow for an $800 Committee million bonding bill this year, and another In 2008, Minnesota voters decided to amend $800 million bonding bill in 2018. The the State Constitution to include the Clean construction of the proposed budget is not Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. The exactly clear at this point and more work amendment increased the sales tax by three- remains ahead. eighths of one percent to have dedicated

They said it: “I think the Senate is positioned perfectly to be the group in the middle that helps solve the answers between the [legislature and Governor]. We’re optimistic that we’ll continue to work, and include the governor. [Gov. Dayton] is continually coming to the table now, and as a result, I expect those things to get done.” – Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa)

funds for protecting drinking water; enhancing and restor- to the World Series. In that vein, when the legislature reaches ing wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife its last stretch, capitol observers and activists may despair if habitat; preserving arts and cultural heritage; and to support their proposals don’t seem to be on track to become law. Just parks and trails. when you thought something isn’t going anywhere, it may On Tuesday, April 4, the House passed HF 707, chief au- reappear in conference committee or as an amendment to thored by Rep. Bob Gunther (R-Fairmont), and this week the another bill. Ewald Consulting has developed a brief guide Senate followed suit by passing its version of the bill, chief on how to stay involved throughout the entirety of session, authored by Sen. Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point). Both bills because it’s not over until the legislature adjourns sine die. were passed by their respective chambers with wide biparti- san margins and are viewed as relatively non-controversial. Links to Know The Legacy bill’s conference committee members are: Here are some helpful links to know as session hits the home stretch: Co-Chair Rep. Bob Gunther (R-Fairmont) Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau) The combined legislative calendar — Keep up-to-date on all Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) scheduled meeting at the Capitol Rep. Steve Green (R-Fosston) Gov. Dayton’s legislative tracker — See all bills that have Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-North St. Paul) been passed by the House and Senate and signed into law Co-Chair Sen. Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point) Session Daily E-updates — The House of Representatives Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) Public Information Office provides excellent updates on Sen. Dave Senjem (R-Rochester) events on the Capitol (during session and interim). Sign up Sen. Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) for their e-updates to stay informed. Sen. Dick Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) House Streaming Schedule — Many conference commit- Legislative Toolbox: It’s Not Over ‘til it’s tee meetings are streamed online; view the House schedule Over here. In 1973 the New York Mets found themselves in last place in Senate Streaming Schedule — Many conference commit- their division with only one month left in the season. At that tee meetings are streamed online; view the Senate schedule point, Hall of Famer Yogi Berra quipped, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s here. over.” The struggling Mets went on to win their division and