At the Capitol: January 13-17
Published
1/17/2025
The 94th Minnesota Legislature kicked off at noon on Tuesday, January 14. The Legislature must craft a state budget for the next two years prior to adjourning in May.
Currently, Republicans have a 67-66 advantage in the House with a vacant seat in District 40B. In the Senate, a vacancy in District 60 has left Democrats and Republicans in a 33-33 tie. Senate leaders brokered a power-sharing agreement that will remain in place until the vacancy is filled, while House leaders are locked in disagreement over how to proceed. Special elections will be held on Tuesday, January 28 to fill both vacancies. Given that both seats heavily favor Democrats, the expected outcome is a 67-67 tie in the House and a return to a one-seat majority for Democrats in the Senate.
The Governor released his budget recommendations on Thursday, proposing a more modest budget than two years ago. Under his agriculture proposal, the Green Fertilizer grant program would be cut down from $7 million to $4 million. Two areas of importance that would not receive any funding increase under the Governor’s proposal are depredation grants for livestock, fence, and crop damage, along with the Board of Animal Health. The Public Policy team is monitoring these two items, among others, and will advocate for funding increases in these two critical areas.