Legislators Gear Up to Tackle Health and Human Services Budget in Special Session: What You Need to Know

ROCHESTER, Minn. – Minnesota’s government is gearing up for a special session on Monday, June 9, following Governor Tim Walz’s call for state legislators to finalize a $66 billion budget.

DFL Senator Liz Boldon from Rochester and Republican Representative Steve Jacob of Altura are working to reconcile the Health and Human Services budget. This area represents the largest piece of the budget still not balanced, with proposed spending at $58.5 million for fiscal years 2024-2025.

Senator Boldon noted the challenges that come with a nearly evenly split legislature, stating, “Going back to a divided government is difficult.” With 101 Democrats and 100 Republicans, passing legislation requires compromise.

Boldon aims to safeguard progress made in the Health and Human Services bill, including providing healthcare access to undocumented immigrants. “It’s not free healthcare. They are contributing to the system by working and paying taxes,” she explained. “When our neighbors can access healthcare, it benefits everyone.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Jacob has been busy preparing for the session. He’s applying pesticide on his farm and reviewing numerous bills. “I’ll be studying bills until Monday morning,” he said. Jacob expressed that he might not support the funding for undocumented immigrants, fearing it might encourage more people to move to Minnesota illegally.

He also mentioned that he’s not against a government shutdown if it means reaching a better deal for Minnesotans. “We’re at the exact number of days since the session ended as the time Democrats didn’t show up at the start,” Jacob pointed out.

As legislative work resumes at the Capitol at 10 a.m. on June 9, time is critical. If they fail to balance the budget during this session, another special session will be required before July 1 to avoid a government shutdown.

Historically, budget negotiations have posed challenges. A report by the Minnesota House Research Department revealed that similar standoffs occurred several years ago, sometimes leading to government shutdowns.

Experts suggest that successful negotiations could offer insights into larger national issues, such as healthcare accessibility and immigration reform. Social media reactions reveal a mix of support and concern regarding proposed healthcare policies, emphasizing how closely residents are watching these developments.

For further details and updates, visit Minnesota Legislative Updates.

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