On Monday, March 11, the House introduced its version of the omnibus health and human services finance budget bill, H.F. 1233; the Senate version, S.F. 1034, had been introduced March 4.

As this is a budget year, this bill will be a main focus of our blogging, if not the main focus. Next week I will provide a more in-depth analysis of the bill, pulling out pieces that seem to be particularly relevant to child welfare. The bill is quite extensive, as its description shows:

A bill for an act relating to state government; establishing the health and human services budget; modifying provisions related to health care, continuing care, nursing facility admission, children and family services, human services licensing, chemical and mental health, program integrity, managed care organizations, waiver provider standards, home care, and the Department of Health; redesigning home and community-based services; establishing community first services and supports and Northstar Care for Children; providing for fraud investigations in the child care assistance program; establishing autism early intensive intervention benefits; creating a human services performance council; making technical changes; requiring a study; requiring reports; appropriating money; repealing MinnesotaCare;

[and amending many, many statutes].

Keep your eyes open for at least one, if not more, blog posts pulling apart this bill next week.

Governor’s Revised Budget Proposal

In addition to the omnibus HHS bills, Governor Dayton also released a revised budget proposal in light of the February forecast, which showed a reduction of the overall budget deficit (from $1.1 billion to $627 million).

Most notably he removed a business to business tax and a clothing sales tax. He did include an additional fourth tax bracket which would apply to the wealthiest 2 percent of Minnesotans, as well as a tobacco tax increase and a “snow bird” tax on Minnesotans who live in Minnesota less than 6 months out of the year (on “Your Legislators” yesterday evening, Sen. Tom Saxhaug, D-5, said it is unlikely that this will be included in a finance bill).

Governor Dayton’s new taxes would result in $1.8 billion to help pay for increased government spending. According to Northland’s News Center, “[p]roposed spending includes $880 million for education, a $120 million increase in Local Government Aid and $86.5 million to create jobs.”

One thing to remember: Although the governor submitted his budget proposal, it is ultimately up to the legislature to develop budget legislation, though it will reflect the governor’s proposal.