Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The conversation featured an interview with Pam Altendorf, who said she represents Minnesota House District 20A, covering Red Wing, Cannon Falls, Wabasha, Lake City, and Goodhue Falls. She described her campaign theme of being a “different politician” as a commitment to represent people directly, listen closely, and avoid being indebted to outside interests. She also spoke positively about Red Wing and the river communities in her district, emphasizing the area’s natural beauty. Altendorf said the main concerns in her rural district are agriculture and Xcel Energy, both of which are major parts of the local economy, especially in Goodhue County. She said farmers’ success drives spending and economic activity across the region. The interview also touched on her background as a mother of five and business owner; she said she chose to stay home with her children while taking on side jobs, later building a national sales business with more than 15,000 consultants. No bills were discussed, and no votes or formal legislative actions were taken in the exchange.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The governor and budget officials discussed Minnesota’s latest budget forecast, describing it as a positive but incomplete “30,000-foot view” of the state’s finances. He said the surplus reflects strong employment, a diverse economy, and prior decisions, but emphasized that the forecast does not capture ongoing pressures such as child care costs, gas and food prices, transit needs, school funding gaps, and inflation. He argued the state should use the budget to invest in education, infrastructure, climate-related projects, and public safety while also reducing costs for families. A major theme was tax relief and how to use the surplus. The governor said he would continue to support rebate checks, a possible expansion or repeal of the Social Security tax for middle-income seniors, and possibly child tax credits, but he said he would not propose tax cuts for the wealthiest Minnesotans. He also said local property tax increases are partly a result of not reaching a prior deal and pledged to seek more local government aid and county program aid. He framed these proposals as targeted relief for working families and seniors rather than broad cuts at the top. He also stressed long-term investments, especially in E-12 education, universal school meals, mental health staff, and a more diverse teaching workforce, saying a specific funding number would come with the January 24 budget release. On infrastructure, he backed a bonding bill and said projects such as the Dilworth fire hall, Lake Street, and Minneapolis recovery work should be included, arguing that a bonding bill with bipartisan support is preferable to a simple spending bill. He also said the state should continue to support paid family leave, child care, and policies that make Minnesota attractive for workers and businesses, while keeping the tax system fair and budgeting with inflation in mind.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The meeting was a budget and economic forecast briefing focused on Minnesota’s strong fiscal outlook, low unemployment, and the administration’s priorities for using the surplus. The governor and other officials emphasized that the forecast was only a “30,000-foot” snapshot, but said it showed an opportunity to invest in education, infrastructure, climate-related transportation projects, public safety, and local government aid while also reducing costs for families and seniors. They repeatedly framed the surplus as a chance to make Minnesota more fair, inclusive, and economically competitive. A major theme was tax policy. The governor said the administration had not raised taxes and had lowered them, and argued for targeted relief rather than cuts for the wealthiest Minnesotans. He said he was open to revisiting the Social Security income tax, child tax credits, and rebate checks, with a focus on working families and seniors. He also said local property tax pressure was tied to the failure to reach a deal in May and pledged to seek more local government aid and county program aid in the upcoming budget. Education and infrastructure were highlighted as major spending priorities, including fully funding E-12 schools, universal meals, more mental health counselors, and resources for teachers and support staff. The governor also called for continued use of federal infrastructure dollars, expansion of EV charging and transportation electrification, and a bonding bill to fund projects such as the Dilworth fire hall, Lake Street, and Minneapolis recovery projects. He argued that bonding was still important even with a legislative majority because it could help secure bipartisan support and include projects important to Greater Minnesota and minority communities. In the question-and-answer portion, the governor said the administration would put a number on E-12 funding by January 24 and stressed that future budgets should explicitly account for inflation. He also said the state should use one-time spending for short-term needs and avoid creating long-term budget cliffs. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the governor indicated the administration would release budget numbers on January 24 and continue working with legislative leaders from both parties.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget released its November 2022 revenue, economic, and budget forecast, projecting a record $18 billion general fund balance for fiscal years 2024-25. Officials said the increase is driven largely by stronger-than-expected revenue collections and lower spending estimates, but emphasized that about $12 billion of the balance is carryforward from prior years and therefore one-time money. They also noted that the forecast does not include inflation in the spending baseline, and that if inflation were fully reflected, the apparent structural balance would be much smaller. Looking further out, the forecast still shows positive structural balances in fiscal years 2026-27, though officials cautioned that the outlook is sensitive to inflation and economic conditions. The economic presentation described a weaker national outlook than in February, with high inflation, Federal Reserve rate hikes, and a forecast mild recession beginning near the end of 2022. IHS now expects U.S. real GDP growth of 1.8 percent in 2022, a 0.2 percent contraction in 2023, and a recovery beginning in 2024. Inflation was forecast to peak at 8.1 percent in 2022 before easing over the next several years, while Minnesota’s labor market remained very tight, with the state’s unemployment rate at 2.1 percent in October. Minnesota employment growth was expected to slow sharply in 2023 and flatten in 2024 before improving in 2025. On the revenue side, general fund receipts had already exceeded forecast by $2.9 billion at the end of fiscal year 2022 and by $415 million so far in fiscal year 2023. Tax revenues for the current biennium were raised by $2.7 billion, while next biennium tax revenues were lowered slightly, mainly because of weaker income tax receipts tied to slower wage growth and inflation effects on brackets. Sales and corporate tax forecasts were supported by the higher starting point, though deed transfer and mortgage taxes were reduced due to higher mortgage rates. Other revenues increased because of higher expected investment income from larger cash balances and higher interest rates. Spending forecasts were reduced as well, with total general fund spending projected to fall by about $1.5 billion in the current biennium and about $600 million in the next. The largest reductions came from education, due to lower pupil counts, and health and human services, due to additional federal Medicaid matching funds from extensions of the federal public health emergency, lower managed care rates, and higher drug rebates. In the question period, officials said the state’s reserves are at record levels, debt capacity is roughly $2.2 billion under current guidelines, and the forecast remains vulnerable to persistent inflation, a deeper recession, and volatility in corporate and capital gains-related revenues.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Incoming DFL leaders in the Minnesota House and Senate said the projected budget surplus, described as growing to about $17.6 billion, gives them a major opportunity to advance their agenda in the upcoming session. Majority leaders Carrie Dziedzic and Jamie Long, along with Whip Athena Hollins, said voters rejected gridlock and want action on affordability, schools, housing, child care, climate, and other family needs. They emphasized that the new trifecta will aim to pass a bold but balanced budget, move bills early, hold public hearings, and be more transparent than in past end-of-session negotiations. The leaders identified several priorities: fully funding K-12 education, paid family and medical leave, early care and learning, housing, infrastructure, climate action, reproductive rights, democracy, and equity. Long said the caucus wants to work with Republicans where possible, especially on affordable child care and housing, and noted that bipartisan agreements would be more durable. On climate, he highlighted a 100% clean energy bill, electric vehicle infrastructure, and clean-energy investment as likely priorities. In response to questions, House and Senate leaders said they had not yet made final decisions on rebate checks or eliminating the Social Security tax, though they would discuss both in caucus and committee hearings. They also said they expect to pursue a bonding bill, citing unmet infrastructure needs and frustration that a prior agreement fell apart at the end of the last session. Leaders stressed that much of the surplus is one-time money, so they intend to be strategic about how it is used and to focus on helping Minnesotans afford their lives.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget presented its November 2022 Revenue and Economic and Budget Outlook, describing a much stronger-than-expected state budget position but warning that inflation, higher interest rates, and slowing growth create risks. Commissioner Jim Showalter said the state had seen revenue collections exceed expectations and now projected an additional $5 billion in the current biennium, bringing the starting balance for the next budget period to about $12 billion and, with another $6 billion expected, an $18 billion balance by the end of fiscal years 2024-25. He emphasized that much of the balance is one-time carryforward money and that the forecast does not directly include inflation, which would reduce the apparent structural surplus. The office also said the first look at fiscal years 2026-27 still showed revenues exceeding spending. State Economist Laura Columbus reviewed the economic assumptions behind the forecast. She said the U.S. outlook had weakened since February because of the war in Ukraine, high inflation, and six Federal Reserve rate hikes, with IHS now expecting a mild recession beginning at the end of 2022, U.S. real GDP to decline slightly in 2023, unemployment to rise to 5.7 percent, and inflation to ease over time. For Minnesota, she noted a very tight labor market, low unemployment, and slower expected job growth, with employment growth slowing sharply in 2023 and flattening in 2024 before recovering in 2025. Revenue changes were driven by higher-than-expected collections in the current biennium, but a weaker outlook for wage income and housing-related taxes reduced next-biennium forecasts, while higher interest rates increased investment income on state cash balances. State Budget Director Onamingi McGee outlined spending changes. General fund spending was projected to fall by about 2.9 percent in the current biennium and 1.1 percent in the next. Major reductions came from E-12 education, due to fewer projected pupils, and Health and Human Services, due largely to additional federal Medicaid match from extensions of the federal public health emergency, lower managed care rates, and higher drug rebate payments. Property tax aids and credits were slightly higher because of larger property tax refunds, while debt service was lower because of slower spending on bonding projects. McGee said the public health emergency extension produced about $500 million in state savings over four years, concentrated in the first biennium. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the briefing. In closing, officials said the state remained in a strong financial position and that lawmakers would have more options in the upcoming session, while also noting that inflation and economic volatility could still affect the outlook and that another forecast would be released in February.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth said Republicans were encouraged by some areas of potential bipartisan cooperation but were shocked by the reported $17.6 billion surplus. She argued Minnesotans are overtaxed and said GOP priorities would be to keep tax hikes off the table, pursue meaningful tax cuts, consider middle-income tax reductions, and possibly one-time rebates rather than new ongoing spending. She also said Republicans would be open to working with Democrats on ending the tax on Social Security, which she said both parties campaigned on. In response to questions, Demuth said the GOP caucus learned from the campaign that voters are concerned about high prices, public safety, and education. She said the caucus would consider one-time rebates, and for a bonding bill would focus on core infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and wastewater projects. She also said housing and child care are areas where there could be support, especially if they help workforce attraction and retention by making it easier for people to live and work in Minnesota. Demuth said Republicans would consider local government aid tied to property tax relief, as well as public safety funding to recruit and retain law enforcement and other public safety workers. She emphasized that the caucus wants to build relationships with the new Legislature and work across the aisle where possible, while making disagreements clear when they arise. On the Social Security tax issue, she reiterated support for ending the tax across the board.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program focused first on Minnesota’s economic expansion roadmap, a report from a governor-appointed council that DEED Commissioner Steve Grove said would likely influence the governor’s budget and the upcoming legislative session. Grove described the roadmap as a practical, cross-agency plan centered on equity, workforce development, small business growth, child care, broadband, housing, and innovation. He said Minnesota faces major disparities in unemployment and opportunity, especially for Black and Hispanic residents, and argued that addressing those gaps is both a moral and economic necessity. Grove also emphasized that economic development depends on more than jobs alone, pointing to schools, transportation, community safety, arts and culture, voting rights, and affordable housing as factors that help attract talent and support business growth. He said broadband expansion could connect the entire state within four years if lawmakers invest heavily, and he called affordable housing a major workforce issue, especially outside the metro. He also highlighted Launch Minnesota and the state’s startup ecosystem as ways government can support entrepreneurs and innovation. The program then covered the unveiling of a full-size bronze statue of labor and civil rights activist Nellie Stone Johnson at the Capitol, the first African American memorialized there. Speakers said the statue reflects Minnesota’s inclusive history and gives young girls and others a role model in the building. The final segment featured Secretary of the Senate Cal Ludeman reflecting on his public service career, including his 1986 gubernatorial run, his approach to leadership, and the challenges of managing recent legislative crises such as the 2017 funding dispute, the 2018 dual-role controversy, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He said effective leadership depends on listening, trust, and communication, and noted that he will step down from his Senate role and return to writing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Governor Tim Walz’s economic expansion council roadmap was the focus of the discussion, with speakers describing it as a practical guide for building a more equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient Minnesota economy. The conversation emphasized that the state is at an inflection point and that future growth will depend on cooperation across rural and urban areas, communities of color and majority communities, businesses, workers, and government. The roadmap was described as forward-looking rather than reflective, aimed at shaping decades of economic progress. Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development Steve Grove said the roadmap reaches beyond DEED and touches housing, education, health and human services, public safety, transportation, and other areas. He highlighted several priorities: workforce and people, community supports such as voting rights, public safety, arts and culture, business growth, and innovation and infrastructure. He said the report is intentionally practical, including ideas such as a closing fund to attract businesses, targeted child care investments, and support for small businesses through capital, technical assistance, and training. He also noted the need to address racial disparities in unemployment and to help more people of color start and grow businesses. Grove said broadband expansion and affordable housing are major economic development issues, especially for businesses outside the metro that struggle to recruit workers without available housing. He argued that the state should use federal and surplus dollars to accelerate broadband buildout and that housing and broadband are areas where government should act because of market failures. On innovation, he said Minnesota could become a national leader because of its strong Fortune 500 base and startup ecosystem, but that government must help lower barriers to entrepreneurship and encourage risk-taking, including for people without family wealth to draw on. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the transcript.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: This was an interview with Secretary of the Senate Cal Ludeman reflecting on his long career in public service, including his time as a state legislator, gubernatorial candidate, state commissioner, and Senate secretary. He discussed his 1986 run for governor, saying he learned the importance of timing, the personal burdens of campaigning, and the need to keep politics more positive and issue-focused rather than centered on attacks and personalities. Ludeman also described his management philosophy, saying effective leadership depends on listening carefully, building trust, communicating clearly, and rewarding success. He said those principles helped him lead large state agencies and the Senate through several major crises, including the 2017 legislative funding dispute, the 2018 dual-office controversy involving Michelle Fischbach, and the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the Senate adopted telework and remote voting procedures while preserving voting integrity. He said it remains possible for legislators to balance public office with private-sector work, though it is increasingly difficult and the makeup of the legislature has changed over time. He argued that keeping citizen-legislators involved is valuable because it brings real-world experience into debate. Ludeman said he plans to step back from his Senate role and return to writing, noting that he already has outlines for three books.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Minnesota State Canvassing Board met to canvass and certify the 2022 general election results, approve the meeting agenda and prior minutes, and receive the statewide canvass report from the Secretary of State’s elections director. The report summarized turnout and results across the state, noting about 2.5 million voters, 671,000 absentee ballots, the congressional, legislative, constitutional office, judicial, and write-in results, and a notable Birchwood Village mayoral write-in win. The board approved the canvass report, formally adopting the election results. The board then heard the post-election review report, which described Minnesota’s statutory hand-count audit process and a ballot-folding issue in some counties that could cause overvote errors on absentee ballots. The director explained how counties handled the issue, including scanner settings and ballot duplication procedures. He reported that additional review was triggered in Watonwan and Becker counties, but the expanded hand counts reconciled the discrepancies; the final adjustments added votes in those races, including changes in the U.S. House and governor’s race totals. The board approved the post-election review report and directed the vote changes to be incorporated into the canvass. Members then selected 32 precincts by lot for the statewide post-election performance review, four in each congressional district, and approved the selected precinct list. The board also approved a contingent recount plan for publicly funded recounts in House Districts 3A and 3B, where the races fell within the recount threshold, and a separate plan for possible discretionary recounts requested by candidates before the contest deadline. The director noted one possible state Senate discretionary recount and said the request deadline was Thursday. The meeting concluded with remarks thanking election judges, county and local election administrators, and the Secretary of State’s staff for their work on the general election.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee held an interim hearing focused on long-term care workforce issues, the assisted living (144G) sector, and related cleanup items. After opening remarks and a transition in committee leadership, Commissioner Jody Harpstead and MDH’s Diane Rydreck presented data showing Minnesota’s aging population, growth in disability waiver use, rising health care vacancies, and wages in caring professions that remain well below the state average. They said workforce shortages are especially acute in rural areas and are affecting hospitals, mental health services, EMS, and non-emergency medical transportation, creating a cycle of burnout and further staffing losses. The presenters said nursing homes are struggling much more than assisted living facilities, with many nursing homes unable to accept new admissions and rural closures outpacing urban ones. MDH reported that nursing home closures averaged about four per year in recent years but rose to eight in 2022, while assisted living licensure is still new and has seen both openings and closures as the market adjusts. They also discussed group home service termination notices, saying the spikes seen in January and September were temporary and that overall notices were near pre-COVID levels. The commissioner emphasized that the state needs a mix of service models and better mapping of services so people can receive care closer to home. Members and testifiers raised concerns about sustainability of wage increases needed to recruit staff, especially in group homes and other provider settings. Senator Nelson noted that some providers have raised wages to $19 to $20 an hour, but questioned how long that can be maintained under current reimbursement rates. Commissioner Harpstead said wage and staffing trade-offs will be a major challenge in the next session because workforce shortages affect many sectors, not just long-term care. The committee then heard from Toby Pearson of Care Providers of Minnesota and Aaron Hubbard of LeadingAge, who were invited to discuss access to services and workforce problems in long-term care.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: This was a ceremonial event in the Minnesota State Capitol honoring Nellie Stone Johnson with the unveiling of a statue and the proclamation of November 21, 2022, as Nellie Stone Johnson Day. Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan spoke about the importance of recognizing Minnesota’s inclusive history and noted that the statue is the first new statue placed in the Capitol in over 60 years, the first plaque/statue/bust of a woman of color in the building, and the first statue authorized by government action of a Black woman in any U.S. state capitol. Speakers emphasized that the statue is intended to inspire future generations, especially students, by reflecting people who have historically been underrepresented in the Capitol. Several speakers described Johnson’s legacy as a labor leader, civil rights advocate, educator, and organizer. Former Representative Joe Mullery recounted his long effort beginning in 1997 to secure authorization and funding for the statue, saying the project took nearly 26 years and required legislation, fundraising, and support from unions. He highlighted Johnson’s work on fair employment and fair housing, her role in labor organizing, her political activism, and her relationships with figures such as Hubert Humphrey and A. Philip Randolph. He also said the statue and accompanying plaque would serve as a role model for students, especially women and people of color. Additional remarks came from Minnesota Historical Society representatives and others involved in the project, who thanked the sculptor, committee members, state officials, and donors. They noted that a 2013 state appropriation provided the foundation for the project and that union contributions were especially important. A family member shared personal memories of Johnson’s care and community support, and Skip Humphrey spoke about Johnson’s persistence, her personal influence, and her role in pushing Minnesota forward on civil rights and labor issues. No legislative vote was taken during this event; the action was the public dedication and commemoration of the statue.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota Senate Republican leader-elect Mark Johnson discussed his election to caucus leadership following the 2022 midterm results and the upcoming shift to a DFL Senate majority. He said he sought the role after Senator Jeremy Miller stepped back from leadership, and described his goals as preparing the caucus for the session and advancing priorities he said were reflected in campaign conversations: returning the state surplus to taxpayers, improving public safety, and supporting parent and student success. Johnson said his leadership style would emphasize consensus-building, trust, and collaboration within the caucus and with other parties. He said the one-vote majority in the Senate would make relationships especially important, and he urged new legislators to work across the aisle and view members of the other party as opponents rather than enemies. He also said the large turnover in Senate experience made relationship-building and institutional knowledge especially important. Asked about the caucus’s reduced number of women, Johnson said Republicans were looking for people who could step into leadership roles regardless of gender and pointed to the contributions of senators such as Karen Housley, Julia Coleman, and outgoing Senator Julie Rosen. He also noted that two women would remain on the leadership team. The interview ended with Johnson describing his family and work life, including his law practice and small businesses, and saying he balances those responsibilities with public service.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senate DFL leaders met after the midterm election to organize for the 2023 session, when the party will hold a one-vote majority in the Senate and a full DFL trifecta with the governor and House. The discussion focused on leadership elections and committee assignments, including selecting the new Senate Majority Leader, Senate President Pro Tem, and chairs of the Tax and Finance committees. Speakers emphasized the historic diversity of the new caucus, noting that it is majority female and includes many new members. The new majority leader said the caucus was chosen to get things done on issues Minnesotans raised during the campaign, including housing costs, food insecurity, child care, and school-related needs such as counseling and special education funding. She said the caucus would pursue its priorities while also seeking collaboration, including with Republicans, and would use open and transparent conversations to manage a narrow majority and a likely budget surplus. She pointed to past DFL accomplishments during the 2013-14 trifecta, such as all-day kindergarten, medical cannabis, and marriage equality, as evidence that the legislature can still pass major measures. The new Senate President Pro Tem said he would help members understand floor rules and prepare bills, especially new legislators. The incoming tax and finance chair said he was honored to lead those committees and expected to work with the full Senate and caucus to build a budget that reflects Minnesota values. No formal votes or legislative actions were described beyond the caucus organizing decisions and leadership selections.