Minnesota Government Faces July Shutdown Deadline Amid Budget Negotiations
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (GRAY) – As the deadline for finalizing a state budget looms, Minnesota government officials are racing against the clock to avoid a shutdown by July 1. While significant progress has been made since the regular session’s adjournment on May 19, concerns remain, particularly following the issuance of layoff notices to state employees due to the ongoing budget uncertainty.
House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “I’m very sorry that those have to go out on June 1. We are very confident that there will be a budget in place very soon.” Current updates suggest that legislative working groups are close to reaching an agreement, signaling a potential special session.
Governor Tim Walz plans to convene the special session once preliminary work is finished, allowing both the House and Senate to swiftly pass necessary bills. One committee focused on K-12 education met recently, exhibiting a willingness to compromise across party lines. "While this bill is not the bill each of our caucuses probably would have written on our own, it reflects a compromise," said Rep. Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins).
The preliminary budget agreement includes a net-zero spending change for the current biennium and advocates for over $420 million in cuts for the subsequent year. Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) acknowledged the significant compromises made by both parties in finalizing the framework.
Although progress appears promising, experts caution against complacency. The prospect of a bonding bill remains doubtful, reflecting broader political divides that may complicate future negotiations. As legislators strive to finalize the budget, the urgency continues to mount with the shutdown deadline rapidly approaching.
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