Legislature

By Lisa Kaczke House Public Information Services The projected surplus for Fiscal Years 2026-27 is now higher than it was in the November estimate, and no deficit is projected for the next biennium. “Minnesota’s budget outlook has improved amid significant near-term economic and fiscal uncertainty,” according to the February forecast released Friday by Minnesota Management…

By Winter Keefer House Public Information Services Legislators have started the process to codify into law the termination of the state’s housing stabilization services program. The Department of Human Services formally shut down the program Oct. 31 on the guidance of its Office of Inspector General after a data analysis exposed large-scale fraud in the…

By Margaret Stevens House Public Information Services Minnesota colleges and universities are fighting a surge in sophisticated enrollment fraud, as cybercriminals increasingly target education systems to steal financial aid, educational grants and personal data. The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee reviewed findings from a working group tasked with combating fraudulent student applications — a problem…

By Graham Johnson House Public Information Services Rep. Mary Franson (R-Alexandria) had a question about the $94 million debt service projected for Fiscal Years 2028-29, nearly double that of the previous biennium. “Where does the governor plan on taking money from?” she said during Thursday’s presentation of Gov. Tim Walz’s 2026 Infrastructure Plan to the House Capital Investment Committee…

By Margaret Stevens House Public Information Services Minnesota is one of 23 states along with Washington D.C. that allows same-day voter registration. Rep. Duane Quam (R-Byron) wants to add a step to ensure the ballot of freshly registered voters is cast properly via HF3845. It would require same-day registrants who are unable to provide a Minnesota driver’s…

By Mike Cook House Public Information Services Faye Bernstein shared her story Monday and put forth a powerful, targeted declaration. A 20-year employee at the Department of Human Services, Bernstein disparaged the department culture by telling what happened about seven years ago when she questioned its activities. “In the course of doing my job I…

By Rob Hubbard House Public Information Services Many state residents are having a much harder time keeping the lights on. “Minnesotans together owe more than $129 million past due on utility bills,” Rep. Athena Hollins (DFL-St. Paul) told the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee Tuesday. “And more than 90,000 households were disconnected from electric or gas…

By Margaret Stevens House Public Information Services More than 75,000 students received approximately $222 million in Minnesota State Grants in Fiscal Year 2025, including 617 students who received nearly $5 million combined under the Dream Act. Rep. Isaac Schultz (R–Elmdale Township) believes the state’s limited financial resources should be directed to “citizens and those here legally,” particularly within…

By Winter Keefer House Public Information Service Personal care assistants providing shared services for multiple clients at the same time could be guaranteed a percentage of state reimbursements. Sponsored by Rep. Kim Hicks (DFL-Rochester), HF3780 would require providers to use an unspecified percentage of additional revenue for these shared services for worker wages. The bill was laid over Tuesday…

By Mike Cook House Public Information Services One side of the political aisle gave an education funding proposal an A; the other side gave it in F. Tuesday’s final grade is an incomplete because no vote was taken, but will be in the future. At issue is a bill supporters say could provide millions of…