Legislative update - April 2, 2025

Last week, the House and Senate released their committee budget targets. Both propose steep cuts to address the projected $6 billion deficit in FY 28-29, largely aimed at human services and education. The big difference between the two bodies’ targets is revenue. While the details are unclear and will be determined by the committee, the Senate proposes to increase revenue or reduce credits and exemptions by $365 million in FY 26-27 and $370 million in FY 28-29. The House proposes only $40 million in revenue as the targets required the DFL and GOP caucuses to jointly agree to the framework. There is a lot of work and internal maneuvering within those targets to determine whether agencies will receive sufficient operating adjustments. MAPE has significant concerns with the House targets for higher education and public safety, as it could mean potential layoffs at Minnesota State and Department of Corrections.  

The focus for committees this week will be moving policy bills before the first and second deadline on Friday. On Wednesday, the House Tax committee will hear the Governor’s tax proposal and the DOC deficiency funding request will be heard in both House Public Safety and Senate Judiciary committees. The Senate Jobs committee will hear a deficiency funding request for vocation rehabilitation services. Thursday, the House Tax committee will hear the fifth-tier income tax bill. House State Government finance committee will also finalize the policy omnibus bill, which includes stronger anti-fraud provisions for agencies and an expansion of the whistleblower protection act. House Workforce committee will hear the unemployment insurance for striking workers proposal. 

On Tuesday, Sen. Nick Frentz introduced a bill rolling back worker benefits under the MN Paid Leave program. It’s an incredibly disappointing development we've seen among several DFL senators this session. We encourage members to reach out to his office and share the negative impact clawing back paid leave will have on workers. 

Other updates 

MAPE will continue to fight the Walz administration on their return to office mandate and look for opportunities to escalate our demand that he rescinds the directive and negotiate with us in good faith.