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Minnesota Budget Plans

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The state of Minnesota's budget determines what resources are available for everything from schools to health care to parks to transportation. 

Understanding the budget proposals that are on the table, as well as what ultimately gets passed into law, is essential information you can use to become involved in influencing budget decisions. We analyze full budget proposals, as well as proposals on key components of the budget, from the governor and legislative bodies, emphasizing public services that expand opportunity and economic security to more Minnesotans.

Research

January 2013

Covering more Minnesotans through Medicaid would improve health outcomes and reduce state costs

More than 87,000 Minnesotans would gain access to affordable health insurance and the state would save millions of dollars if lawmakers do the right thing and expand Medicaid during the 2013 Legislative Session. Providing health care to more Americans through Medicaid is a key component of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), which is already helping thousands of Minnesotans stay healthy by improving access to affordable health insurance. Federal funds would cover nearly the entire cost of the Medicaid expansion for the first three years. That’s a good bargain for the state and for Minnesotans with private insurance who now shoulder much of the cost of caring for patients without insurance through higher premiums.

October 2012

Strong Minnesota economy requires sound investments

Minnesota faces significant gaps between public needs and the resources it takes to meet them. Policymakers need to move beyond gimmicks and short-term fixes, and invest in Minnesota's long-term prosperity. The 2013 Legislature should use a balanced approach that includes revenues when setting the next two-year budget in order to put Minnesota back on the right path.

June 2012

2012 Legislative Session: Modest budget changes, little progress on sustainably funding our future

The 2012 Legislature adjourned after making small changes to the budget, primarily in K-12 education, health and human services, and taxes. Policymakers did not take up proposed constitutional budget amendments that threatened the state's future. The 2013 session presents an opportunity for the Legislature to address the challenge of finding sustainable ways to fund the state's priorities. 

April 2012

'98 Percent' constitutional amendment creates barriers to common-sense budgeting

A proposed constitutional amendment creates a series of restrictions on policymakers' ability to make budget decisions that meet the state's needs and respond to changing circumstances. The proposal limits appropriations and spending to arbitrary levels and triggers tax cuts without regard to the state's current situation.

Minnesota Budget Plans Blog Posts

March 23, 2023

Early agreement on state budget targets outline use of the surplus

On Tuesday, the Minnesota House and Senate leadership and Governor Tim Walz released joint budget targets that lay out ...

February 01, 2023

Governor Walz releases FY 2024-25 budget priorities

In his proposal for the two-year FY 2024-25 budget cycle, Governor Tim Walz proposes $11.2 billion in additional funding for public services, with the largest amount of new dollars going toward education, economic development, and health and human services. He also proposes $5.4 billion in tax reductions in FY 2024-25, with the biggest component being a one-time tax rebate. Read more in our blog.

June 07, 2022

Mental health bill takes important steps forward in addressing state’s crisis

Minnesota legislators took important steps toward shoring up our state’s mental health system by allocating $93 million over three years aimed at increasing the number of providers, supporting mental health crisis services, and reducing racial disparities in mental health services.

May 26, 2022

What passed, what’s unfinished business after end of 2022 Legislative Session

On Monday, the 2022 Legislative Session officially ended, but what did policymakers actually pass into law? With a his...