UPDATE: Hattip to MN Senate Media's Capitol Report producer Shannon Loehrke's twitter account, here's the Minnesota Senate Media Services' YouTube of the Monday morning press conference about the agreement:
[end update]
We heard notice of this agreement on Minnesota Public Radio this morning. Here are the specifics, such as they are, from Mike Cook at Session Daily.
Bipartisan framework of session-ending deal includes education investments, tax cuts
On Monday in St. Paul, the sun is shining, the sky is blue and Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leader have reached agreement on a framework to end the 2022 legislative session.
The deal calls for $4 billion toward a tax bill, $1 billion in additional education spending, $1 billion for health care and human services, $450 million for public safety. Additional investments are to be funded with $1.5 billion and a $1.4 billion capital investment bill is called for in capital investment projects. Left on the bottom line is $4 billion to help the state manage future economic uncertainty.
Details are to be finalized this week.
“I ran for Governor to ensure that every student in every classroom across Minnesota receives an education that will set them up for success. As a former classroom teacher, I know that these historic investments are how we get there,” Walz said in a statement. “With an unprecedented surplus, we have the ability to make significant investments in the things that will improve Minnesotans’ lives, like health care, public safety, and education, while also providing tax cuts and putting money in Minnesotans’ pockets.”
“Getting money back to the people has been a top priority for Republicans this session and I'm very happy we were able to accomplish this with permanent ongoing tax relief for hardworking Minnesotans, families, and seniors,” said Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller (R-Winona). “In addition to giving money back, this bipartisan agreement delivers targeted investments in public safety, education, nursing homes, and core infrastructure projects. Finally, leaving money on the bottom line is the fiscally responsible thing to do, especially as the economy appears to be slowing down.”
Said House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park): “We have reached a bipartisan agreement on a budget framework that makes strong investments in families' economic security, education, health care, and public safety to address the challenges Minnesotans are facing. These investments are in addition to the budget we passed last year and the frontline worker bonuses that we got across the finish line last month. This is a positive step forward, but there is a lot more work ahead of us in this final week of the legislative session.”
We'll being looking closely at investments--or cuts--in environment, natural resources, and agriculture agencies and programs.
Photo: The Quadriga on the State Capitol Dome. Photo by Tony Webster.
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