Minnesota House of Representatives

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House of Representatives News

• States suicide rate among National Guard members is a call to action
  With the expected high number of returning National Guard members next year from Kuwait, state could face a tsunami of veteran-related problems.
   
• House schedule announced for 2012 session
  House Speaker Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) announced the Houses schedule for the 2012 legislative session.
   
• New laws take effect Jan. 1, 2012
  The following are some of the new laws that take effect Jan. 1, 2012.
   
• Hope, challenges seen in government redesign efforts
  Lawmakers, local officials and nonprofit executives agree: Minnesotans want better, more effective, cost-efficient government.
   
• Surprise! State announces $876 million budget surplus
  State budget officials announced a projected $876 million budget surplus for the remainder of the current two-year budget cycle.
   
• Audits raise red flags on Legacy programs
  Programs funded through the states Legacy Amendment need better documentation and closer financial oversight, officials told a legislative panel.
   
• Official: shutdowns economic impact 'blunted' by court orders
  The overall economic impact of this summers state government shutdown was minimal, but it had other negative consequences, a state official said.
   
• More questions than answers in child care unionization hearing
  Many questions were left unanswered after a hearing on Gov. Mark Daytons call for a vote on unionizing day care providers in the state.
   
• Competitive bidding has 78,000 people changing health plans
  A House health committee received an update to changes being implemented in a 2011 law.
   
• Tax relief to be a top-tier priority
  Greater Minnesota businesses targeted to receive the greatest relief.
   
• Revenue for special districts complicate local tax picture
  A House division learnd that special taxing district levies have, over the years, increased in number as has the amount of tax dollars they collect.
   
• Parole process reviewed by House committee
  In reaction to a pair of recent decisions, the House public safety committee reviewed the state's process for granting parole.
   
• Some members question NCLB waiver request
  Gov. Mark Daytons administration plans to move forward with its application for a No Child Left Behind waiver, but some lawmakers questioned a lack of legislative input into the process.
   
• Lawmakers want voter approval as part of proposed stadium financing
  Gov. Mark Dayton announced that there is not House or Senate support for an exemption to state law requiring a voter referendum to increase a local sales tax that would have helped finance a new stadium.
   
• Governor, legislative leaders meet to talk about possible stadium
  Gov. Mark Dayton and legislative leaders spent a little more than two hours discussing numerous options when it comes to a potential new home for the Minnesota Vikings.
   
• Fiscal situation improves, but more trouble looms
  The states short-term fiscal outlook has improved, but another recession could easily reverse its fortunes, state budget officials warned.
   
• Budget and Vikings stadium top concerns for Met Council oversight group
  After three years of dormancy, legislative group expects to have recommendations regarding the non-elected councils $780 million budget.
   
• Proffering Reform 2.0
  Nearly a month after the Legislature and Gov. Mark Dayton agreed on a budget plan to end the state government shutdown, Republican leaders announced an effort to hear from Minnesotans about how state government should be reformed.
   
• Dayton signs spending bills, ending shutdown
  Gov. Mark Dayton has signed the 12 spending and tax bills that will fund state government for the next two years and end the government shutdown.
   
• Tax bill contains so-called tobacco bonds
  City and county aid remain at 2010 levels; some new tax credits proposed, while some are modified.
   
• HHS bill reform measures draw support
  Critics say bill could force some hospitals and nursing homes to close.
   
• State government bill goes to governor
  The House concluded its part in the special session by passing its final budget bill — an omnibus state government finance bill loaded with scaled-down but still ambitious government reforms.
   
• Education finance bill gets passing grade from Legislature
  An education finance bill that includes a $780 million shift awaits action by the governor.
   
• Higher education benefits from bonding bill
  Coming in at $498 million, the capital investment bill was called good bipartisan work.
   
• Omnibus retirement bill headed to Daytons desk
  The House overwhelmingly passed an omnibus public employees retirement bill that would enable consolidation of Minneapolis police and fire pension funds.
   
• Higher education bill passed by House, Senate
  A higher education bill that cuts $351 million from base funding awaits gubernatorial action.
   
• Funding for jobs and housing passes
  A slightly more expensive version of the omnibus jobs and economic development finance bill is on its way to Gov. Mark Daytons desk.
   
• Transportation bill would lessen transit cuts
  Metro Transit service would likely be kept whole under a bill awaiting the governor's signature; Greater Minnesota transit hours would be reduced.
   
• Environment and energy package heads to governor
  A bill on its way to Gov. Mark Daytons desk would roughly split the difference between the governors and lawmakers respective spending proposals on environment and energy programs.
   
• Legacy bill brought back to life
  Although the bill to fund outdoors and arts projects was not passed through the House or Senate during the 2011 session, budget negotiations brought it new life.
   
• Public safety bill receives legislative support
  The omnibus public safety budget bill contains reductions for some areas of courts and corrections, but not nearly as steep as those proposed by the Legislature during its regular session.
   
• Special session scheduled for Tuesday afternoon
  The 19-day state government shutdown should be over shortly.
   
• Governor accepts June 30 GOP offer with conditions
  An end to the two-week state government shutdown could be on the horizon.
   
• Agreement reached to end government shutdown
  A special session is expected early next week to resolve states $5.4 billion deficit.
   
• Republicans again ask for lights-on special session
  Republican leaders again urged Gov. Mark Dayton to call lawmakers into special session to pass six budget bills that would put approximately 16,000 Minnesotans back to work, and to pass a lights-on bill to fund the areas not covered by the sextet of bills.
   
• No budget talks; Dayton to take message on the road
  Gov. Mark Dayton sent another letter to Republican leaders urging them to bring forth a counter-offer in hopes of resolving the 11-day-old state government shutdown.
   
• Republicans reject Dayton's latest offer
  Gov. Mark Dayton floated two new tax proposals in the latest round of budget talks, but Republican leaders called his new offers “disappointing.”
   
• Lawmakers, governor resume work on budget
  Following a brief afternoon meeting, Republican leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton announced plans to resume work on solving the states budget crisis.
   
• No budget deal; government shutdown begins
  Budget talks between legislators and Gov. Mark Dayton have failed to produce a compromise, and Minnesota is headed for an unprecedented state government shutdown.
   
• No budget deal, but still hope in final hours
  Republican and DFL legislative leaders said they are continuing to work toward a budget deal with Gov. Mark Dayton, but offered no details as to whats on the negotiating table.
   
• Budget talks still stop-and-go
  With hours to go before a possible government shutdown and protesters already amassing on the Capitol steps, budget talks between lawmakers and Gov. Mark Dayton have broken off again.
   
• Republican leaders say budget deal is 'close'
  Lawmakers and Gov. Mark Dayton have one more day to fund state services and avoid a potential government shutdown, and Republican leaders said they can still do it.
   
• Budget talks break off, few details emerge
  With a little more than 30 hours left before a potential state government shutdown, a spokesman said negotiations between legislative leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton have broken off.
   
• Shutdown would not affect Legislatures core functions
  Judge rules on essential services to stay open if state government shutdown occurs.
   
• No breakthrough yet in budget talks
  With time running out, legislative leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton said they have yet to work out key differences on a possible last-minute deal that could avert a state government shutdown.
   
• Budget talks continue, focusing on HHS
  Legislative leaders met with Gov. Mark Dayton again this morning and said budget talks are moving forward, but would not say how close they are to a possible deal.
   
• Budget talks resume, no word yet on progress
  Republican legislative leaders met briefly with Gov. Mark Dayton for another round of budget talks, but reported no progress.
   
• Low key end to another negotiation day
  Legislative leaders and governor say more progress made. They plan to meet again tomorrow in an effort to resolve budget difference.
   
• Full day of negotiations yields progress on budget
  Legislative leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton reported “considerable progress” toward agreement on several major budget bills in their latest round of talks.
   
• No mediator to help with budget talks
  Judge rules against governors request for a mediator to help the parties reach agreement on a budget package.
   
• Dayton, Republicans plan extensive budget talks over weekend
  Republican legislative leaders said Gov. Mark Dayton has agreed to meet with them extensively over the weekend to try to hash out a deal on the state budget.
   
• Dayton, DFL lawmakers call for compromise
  Gov. Mark Dayton and DFL legislative leaders said Republicans are unwilling to compromise and that their budget plan protects wealthy Minnesotans at the expense of the middle class.
   
• House hires representation for possible shutdown
  Outside counsel will be used be to defend the House in case of a potential government shutdown.
   
• Leaders call on Dayton to release detailed budget plan
  Republican legislative leaders called on Gov. Mark Dayton to release more details on his proposed budget, and said Dayton is playing politics with a potential government shutdown.
   
• Shutdown could translate to short road construction season
  Transportation committee chairs launch statewide tour in an effort to keep transportation projects alive in the event of a government shutdown,
   
• Republicans offer to drop tax relief, Dayton rejects
  Republican leaders offered to drop their plans for nearly $203 million in tax relief in a bid to help bring budget talks closer to a deal, but Gov. Mark Dayton rejected the offer.
   
• Contingency planning not as good as compromise
  As Republicans questioned the governor's shutdown funding priorities, a veteran lawmaker said compromise is better than a contingency plan.
   
• Republican leaders, Dayton to meet Thursday to continue budget negotiations
  New spreadsheets could be on the table, Zellers says.
   
• More questions, no consensus on state budget
  No consensus as LCPFP members question tax hike impact, Republicans seek more details regarding governor's revenue proposal.
   
• No real movement in budget talks
  Legislative leaders and the governor offered familiar phrases to describe their budget meeting today, with no apparent movement toward a resolution.
   
• Lawmakers, commissioners debate 'framework' for negotiations
  Members of a legislative panel sought details from two of Gov. Mark Daytons key commissioners on the governors latest budget proposal, but were told instead that Dayton wants a deal on an overall budget number first.
   
• Budget negotiations meetings between Republican leaders, governor begin
  The first of several budget negotiation meetings expected to take place over the next three weeks between legislative committee leaders and Gov. Mark Daytons administration began without the governor.
   
• Republican leaders make new budget offer
  Some progress was seen in the latest budget negotiations between legislative leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton, as Republicans offered to increase spending on education and public safety.
   
• Leaders, governor announce schedule for negotiations
  Republican leaders and Gov. Mark Dayton have agreed to a tentative schedule for budget negotiations, but are no closer to an actual deal.
   
• Dayton calls for mediation
  Gov. Mark Dayton derided a planned legislative hearing on the budget as a “political stunt,” and called for a professional mediator to help out with negotiations.
   
• Leaders react to Dayton, urge negotiations
  Republican legislative leaders urged Gov. Mark Dayton to come to the negotiating table and talk specifics on a budget deal, and criticized his decision to not let his commissioners appear before a legislative panel.
   
• Dayton vetoes remaining budget bills, says shutdown strong likelihood
  Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the budget bills passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and warned there is a “strong likelihood” of a state government shutdown.
   
• Legislature adjourns without budget deal
  The legislative session has ended without a budget agreement.