Conference committee reports moved; Governor's plan voted down

Yesterday at the Capitol

There is movement at the Capitol. Higher education finance bill conferees signed the conference report and posted both versions, signed and unsigned. The House took up the bill last night and passed it by a vote of 69-57. The Senate is expected to take it up today. Here is a link to the signed conference report:

HF1101A: Omnibus higher education finance bill (signed)

The House also passed the Tax conference report and the K-12 Education conference report last night. The Senate passed the Judiciary and Public Safety conference reports yesterday.

All the conference reports (signed and unsigned) can be found here.

The state government conference committee wrapped up their bill yesterday morning after a number of amendments. Prior to adjourning the meeting, Sen Mike Parry, R-Waseca, said he's happy everyone worked together so well, but said he's disappointed because he believes Gov. Dayton had an opportunity to lead, but failed. Here is the link to the final report.

The state government finance bill is currently being taken up on the Senate floor and Sen. Parry is explaining the bill. The House is expected to take it up today.

Also on the House floor yesterday, members took up Gov. Dayton's "minority report" bill and after many hours of debate, did not accept the bill by a vote of 73-60. This bill is the governor's position on the budget. Republicans stood strong on no new revenue, while Democrats talked about Dayton's proposal as fair for all Minnesotans.

Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, and House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, sent Gov. Mark Dayton a letter yesterday following-up on an agreement for commissioners to negotiate with conference committee chairs. Stay tuned.

Today at the Capitol

7:00 AM
House Ways and Means
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg
Agenda: HF959 (Howes) Coon Rapids; flood hazard mitigation and renovation funding provided for the Coon Rapids dam, state bond provision changes made, prior appropriations modified, bond sale authorizations reduced, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
HF1024 (Stensrud) Deputy commissioner numbers reduced and assistant commissioner position eliminated in the unclassified service.
HF1104 (Howes) Appropriations canceled, and corresponding bond sale authorizations reduced.
HF1232 (Howes) Central Corridor Light Rail Transit project terms and conditions modified, appropriations canceled and corresponding bond sale authorizations reduced, and general fund debt service savings required.
SF680 (Woodard) "Criminal act" definition expanded in the racketeering crime.
The language of HF1001 First Engrossment will be offered as a delete everything amendment to SF680 .
Budget Resolution Amendment

8:00 AM
Senate in session

At the call of the chair
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire Robling
Agenda:
S.F. 1428-Langseth: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) federal disaster assistance match appropriation.
S.F. 1340-Carlson, J.: Minnesota Accountable Government Innovation and Collaboration (MAGIC) Act; counties general welfare provisions authorization.
H.F. 576-Olson, G.: School districts state-aid payments reduction prior to short-term borrowing for cash flow needs repeal.
S.F. 986-Senjem: Bond sale authorization delay and appropriation reduction; state debt refunding requirement.

3:00 PM
House in Session