https://www.senate.mn/members/member_secondary_bio.php?ls=91&;tab_id=6&;mem_id=1151
Dear Neighbors,
The 91st Minnesota Legislative Session adjourned sine die on Monday, May 18,
2020, leaving numerous policy, budget, and tax bills incomplete. Most
disappointing was the absence of a bonding bill. While both the House and
Senate took up bonding proposals, each body failed to secure the three-fifths
majority required to pass the final bill.
We approved $25 million for renewable energy project development funded
through the state’s Renewable Development Account (RDA) and a $117 million
Legacy bill to fund outdoor conservation projects statewide.
This year’s session began with a positive budget balance of $1.5 billion and a
strong economic outlook for our State, but the pandemic swung the positive
outlook to a $2.4 billion projected budget deficit. The fallout of Covid-19
completely upended the state’s economic forecast and forced the Legislature to
change how it did its work. Virtual committee hearings became the norm, and
floor sessions changed dramatically with social distancing.
Even under these difficult and unusual circumstances, we were able to pass the
Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, election security legislation, broadband
infrastructure support for E-learning and telemedicine, and more funding to
provide support for personal care attendants. We also provided support for our
local businesses and provided workers compensation benefits to our health care
workers and public safety officials.
Significant work remains to be done and we anticipate we’ll reconvene for a
special session in June to take up the bonding bill, Covid-19 related tax law
changes, and the appropriation of federal Covid-19 funds.
While the pandemic will require attention for some time, I will not lose focus
on the unfinished business of the 2020 legislative session. I am committed to
taking important steps forward to pass paid family leave, gun violence
prevention, fair equity funding, affordable housing, a conversion therapy ban,
medical cannabis reforms, addressing the opportunity gap, a stronger sexual
harassment standard, restore the vote, Clean Energy First and 100% Clean Energy
by 2050, and housing security.
Below is a recap of the status of several of the major bills this session. We
are providing you side-by-side comparisons to make you aware of the passed and
halted legislation. This is a long report, but we hope it helps you keep track
of key issues, subject by subject.
Patricia