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Last minute deal at the MN Legislature: $2.6 billion infrastructure package, more money for nursing homes
Saint Paul Pioneer Press - 5/20/2023
Minnesota lawmakers announced Saturday morning they have a $2.6 billion bipartisan deal on infrastructure projects that includes sending as much as $300 million to struggling nursing homes.
Infrastructure is the one topics at the Legislature where bipartisan compromise is almost essential because super-majorities are needed in both chambers to borrow money. Until Saturday, Democrats in narrow control of both the House and Senate were unable to agree to a deal with Republicans and appeared determined to pass a cash-only infrastructure bill.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party members faced mounting criticism from Republicans over the past few days that their nearly $72 billion two-year budget didn’t do enough for nursing homes that continue to struggle after the pandemic.
DFLers also were knocked for cutting most projects in Republican districts out of their cash-only infrastructure bill after the larger borrowing measure, or bonding bill, failed to earn enough GOP votes to clear the Senate. There’s pent-up need for state infrastructure money because the Legislature hasn’t passed a bonding bill for capital projects since 2020.
Now, a bipartisan infrastructure deal aims to borrow about $1.5 billion and spend $1.1 billion in cash for capital projects
The infrastructure deal is the latest development in a whirlwind of a legislative session that’s been driven by a historic $17.5 billion budget surplus.
In the last week, lawmakers have voted to legalize recreational cannabis, implement new gun control laws, create a universal paid leave program and approved billions in new spending.
There’s much more to come before the Legislature’s required to adjourn by midnight Monday. Lawmakers plan to approve $3 billion in tax changes, decide on new a delivery fee and gas tax and pass new health care laws.
This story is developing and will be updated.
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