Minnesota Budget Process

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.

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