JUST IN: @MMBCommunicates pegs FY2024-25 surplus at about $17.5 billion.
Essentially unchanged from early Dec., but it means revenue kept growing because this forecast figures inflation into spending calculations for the first time in decades. #mnleg
Revenue was up $599M over the prior forecast and $865M was carried over from the prior year's budget. That pushed up overall available revenue to $1.464B
Estimated expenditure increase (including inflation projection and approved bills this session) was $1.536B. #mnleg
Estimated inflation for current programs came in at $1.422B, according to state finance documents.
Among tax categories compared to prior projections:
Individual income taxes: +563M
Corporate: +$125M
Sales taxes: -$26M
Sin taxes all down; although lottery revenues up marginally.
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. @GovTimWalz outlined budget plans around youth services and education today.
Some highlights:
-+4%/2% in next 2 years on general ed formula
-universal school meals
-state buydowns of special ed/English language costs on districts
-pegs future formula bumps to inflation
Tax credits
-$1k per kid child tax credit for families earning less than $50K
-increase in child care credit for under-5 children in fams under $200k
-expanded K-12 education credit eligiblity
Reorg
-Creates new Department of Children, Youth and Families that peels off duties of current DHS, Ed, Corrections
-Would set a July 2024 goal of realigning services for youth and vulnerable families.
#mn02 Legal Marijuana Now candidate Paula Overby's son, Tyler, says his mother passed away this morning at age 68. She had been having heart valve problems and was recently hospitalized.
Of Paula Overby, Tyler says she was "selfless, always trying to help others."
"Always had great advice, wonderful to talk to, always there for you."
She leaves behind her mother, a son, two daughters, a son-in-law, two grandchildren and two sisters.
Overby's death will have implications in the race. Her party can replace her. But there could be expect possible legal action around how ballots get updated, handled.
A third-party candidate also died in same district in 2020. Overby was nominated to fill his spot in that race.
#mn01 candidate forum at FarmFest about to begin. No @SouthernMN4Jeff (Ettinger). He tested positive for COVID-19, according to forum organizers who read from a statement from him.
Opening remarks from Finstad:
“I grew up as a crop farmer and a hog farmer. … I’ve been scooping manure from a young age and that’s unfortunately prepared me for politics.”
DFL #mn01 primary candidate James Rainwater (there's both a special election and a primary on Aug. 9 ) acknowledges his limitations at FarmFest.
“I know less about farming than anyone up here. But I’ve eaten more farm products than anyone up here.”
NEW: Minnesota Attorney General @AGEllison (D) won’t appeal a district court decision that struck down several abortion laws, including a 24-hour waiting period, a two-parent notification requirement and hospitalization rules.
Ellison says the AG's office has put about $620,000 toward the case in staff time and other costs since 2019.
Yesterday, one of the Republicans challenging Ellison (@doug_wardlow) suggested that officials in other counties not abide by the abortion decision from a Ramsey County judge. The judge barred enforcement statewide of the affected laws.
GOP AG candidate @doug_wardlow, the 2028 nominee challenging endorsed Republican @JimForMN, criticizes his opponent as “effectively prochoice” over a recent abortion quote in @StarTribune.
The Aug 9 primary will determine the fall opponent of incumbent DFLer @EllisonCampaign.
This is the quote in question
Wardlow says he’d “prosecute abortion providers who break the law.”
He said he would also investigate abortion providers.
He said he’d “wage war” on Doe v Gomez court decision protecting abortion access in Minn.
He said he’d resist efforts to weaken existing restrictions.