Legislative Update March 6, 2024

The 2024 legislative session continues to move at a slow pace in comparison to the 2023 session. Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) presented the February Budget forecast, which showed Minnesota having a $3.7 billion surplus, which was roughly $1.3 billion above the November projections. After accounting for inflation and current spending levels, the remaining amount currently hovers around $2.2 billion. MMB again urged caution in establishing new, ongoing spending as the projected expenditures outpace the state's projected revenue collection, creating an imbalance of $1.4 billion. Legislative leaders mentioned potentially using the money for one-time capital projects in the event that a bonding bill did not receive enough minority votes.

Two MAPE members recently testified on safety and retirement bills. Region 17 Director David Clanaugh testified in support of H.F. 4200, a bill that creates worker protections for patient care staff in state facilities and acute care hospitals when raising concerns around staff and patient safety. The bill passed and was sent to the House Labor committee. 

Ava Olin, a Music Therapist at the Forensics Hospital in St. Peter, testified in support of H.F. 3930 (Frederick)/ S.F. 3761 (Frentz), a bill that would add her position to the list of Correctional Employee Retirement Plan (CERP) eligible jobs at the Department of Human Services.  

Other priorities MAPE is working on are a bill that would significantly limit the ability of agencies to unilaterally place positions in unclassified and temporary unclassified service (H.F. 4309/ S.F. 4375), a bill that would provide unemployment insurance benefits to striking workers, additional expansions of PELRA protections and more. You can join us at our Lobby Day on Tuesday, March 19th to help us advocate for a stronger voice in the workplace. Details and registration can be found here.