We obtained the image above via a tweet by Minnesota Public Radio's Brian Bakst. In a related tweet, he observed:
Some things that stood out: -House/gov gave ground on the amount going to housing, env and higher ed.
The document is at the link in Governor Walz, Legislative Leaders Complete Budget Framework Agreement:
Governor Tim Walz, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, and Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller today announced a completed framework to define end of session budget negotiations. The framework builds on the previous bipartisan agreement for $4 billion in investments to move Minnesota forward and $4 billion to lower costs and provide tax relief.
“This bipartisan agreement is a big step toward finishing up this year’s legislative session and making investments in the things we know Minnesotans care about,” said Governor Walz. . . .
We're curious when Minnesotans stopped caring about the environment, but it seems like Minnesota's top leaders aren't giving it much thought.
Let's compare the $10 million target with what's outlined in What’s the difference? Environment conference committee compares bills:
With more than $240 million in appropriations and several statutory changes to be reconciled, a conference committee started work on the state’s omnibus environment and natural resources supplemental finance and policy bill.
The House version of the bill is looking to spend some of the state’s surplus — $249.6 million worth in fiscal year 2023 — while the Senate only looks to spend a modest $8.44 million while focusing on many new policies. . . .
The House would appropriate $68.9 million more to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, $54.6 million more to the Pollution Control Agency, $52.2 million more to the Department of Natural Resources and $9.5 million more to Explore Minnesota Tourism.
Of those appropriations, the largest differences would be in the House’s appropriations of:
- $30 million to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs;
- $25 million to the DNR for climate adaptation for natural lands and waters;
- $20 million for adaptation action grants and water storage, half to the Pollution Control Agency and half to the Board of Water and Soil Resources;
- $10.1 million to the DNR for ash tree replacement grants;
- $10 million to the Pollution Control Agency for waste prevention recycling grants and loans; and
- $10 million to the Board of Soil and Water Resources for a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program state incentive.
Other major funding included in the House proposal but not in the Senate is $13.1 million to the Metropolitan Council and a one-time repayment to the Metropolitan Landfill Contingency Action Trust of $29.1 million.
The largest appropriations in the Senate bill for fiscal year 2023 are $1.6 million to the DNR for land acquisition (which is also in the House bill); $1.5 million from the Pollution Control Agency Remediation Fund to clean up a school that will be destroyed in Lake of the Woods County; and $1 million to Explore Minnesota Tourism for large scale events promotion.
We might call this a Don't Look Up budget.
Walz is fond of saying "a budget is not only a fiscal document — it’s a moral document." Near the beginning of the session there was this in Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Announce Plan to Protect Minnesotans’ Health and Safety:
“Budgets are not just fiscal documents – they are moral documents,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “Every Minnesotan deserves to be safe, protected, and valued in their community. And every Minnesotan deserves health care that meets their needs, a place to call home, and a future with breathable air and drinkable water. . . .
We're not sure what's moral about snirt and dust storms, treeless boulevards, and continuing to rob the landfill fund while a Superfund site like the Pig's Eye landfill leaks harmful contaminants into nearby waterways, but perhaps those things will just take care of themselves. Bah humbug!
UPDATE: Another look in Rob Hubbard's Governor, legislative leaders agree on budget targets at Session Daily.
Image: the end-of-session budget targets, from Governor Walz, Legislative Leaders Complete Budget Framework Agreement,via Brian Bakst.
Related posts:
- Session Daily: Enviro conference committee takes small step forward, OKs policy agreements
- Plain considerations about the 2022 Environment Conference Committee deliberations
- Omnibuzz: environment & natural resources bill headed to House floor on partisan vote
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