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Minnesota Budget Process

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Knowing the nuts and bolts of how the Minnesota budget process works is essential for getting involved in state budget decisions. We provide tools to help you navigate the state budget process. Our work also focuses on budget process policy issues, from best practices for Minnesota's budget reserve to harmful proposals to limit the state's ability to make decisions that best meet Minnesotans' needs.

Research

February 2019

How to read the Health Care Access Fund statement

The Health Care Access Fund (HCAF) was created to hold Minnesota’s health care provider tax revenues, in addition to several smaller revenue sources. This document provides readers a quick tour of the balance sheet that is updated in each state budget forecast.

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.

February 2012

Supermajority requirement would limit financial flexibility, risking Minnesota's credit rating

Requiring a supermajority vote in both the House and Senate to raise taxes would raise concerns among credit rating agencies about the state’s financial flexibility and creditworthiness. A downgrade of Minnesota's credit rating could lead to higher costs to maintain our infrastructure.

February 2012

Supermajority amendment is wrong for Minnesota

This issue brief provides an overview of the proposed supermajority amendment's mechanics and reasons it is wrong for Minnesota. A supermajority requirement would lead to more government gridlock, encourage budget gimmicks, create pressure to increase other revenue sources, impede tax reform, and threaten the state's credit rating.

Minnesota Budget Process Blog Posts

May 23, 2022

Lack of public investment shifts costs of college education to students and families

Higher education is a steppingstone for many Minnesotans to further their career goals, gain advanced qualifications in ...

May 19, 2022

A quick look at the global budget agreement

Governor Tim Walz and legislative leaders announced targets on Wednesday for how they propose to allocate the remainder...

April 26, 2022

Minnesota House releases their budget targets

The Minnesota House’s newly released budget targets lay out their priorities for use of the state’s substantial budget...

April 14, 2022

Minnesota House and Senate lay out their budget and tax priorities

Amid unprecedented resources available to invest in Minnesotans’ well-being and build a more equitable state, the House and Senate have released their supplemental budget bills.