ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) 鈥� The Minnesota Legislature will return from its Easter-Passover break on Tuesday with a remarkably high number of bills already signed into law, but with plenty of work ahead to complete a balanced two-year budget in the six weeks before the mandatory adjournment on May 22.
Democrats when lawmakers convened in January, using their and the governor's office to rush through a slew of priorities that they couldn't pass when Republicans controlled the Senate. Gov. Tim Walz proclaimed: 鈥淭he is over.鈥� But the speed has frustrated Republicans, who feel steamrollered and accuse Democrats of going on a spending spree and increasing the size of government instead of
An updated forecast in February . Walz and Democratic leaders that add up to nearly $17.9 billion in new spending, including $3 billion for tax cuts. Hammering out the details is lawmakers' main task in the home stretch of the 2023 session.
What have lawmakers accomplished and what's still in the works?
ABORTION
Minnesota Democrats credit voter anger over last summer's U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade for their strong showing in the November elections. So for the session. Walz and other reproductive health care in January, signing a bill that Minnesota's broad abortion rights protections
Other bills are still advancing, including one to repeal restrictions declared unconstitutional by a judge last summer, and to for patients from states who come for abortions. Republicans say all these bills leave Minnesota with no limits on abortion at all.
TAXES
House and Senate committees will roll out the main tax bills soon. Top Democrats have softened on the governor鈥檚 proposal for direct tax rebate payments and are ready to scale back to spare more residents. But they鈥檝e been cold to calls by Republicans and some Democrats to eliminate the tax completely, saying the benefits would go to the rich.
The governor's budget and some other proposals also include tax increases, such as bumps in license fees, and local or metro-wide sales taxes earmarked for transportation, housing and other projects. Proposed increases in fishing license and state park fees have hit bipartisan opposition in the Senate.
TRANS RIGHTS
The House and their families who come for gender-affirming care by making Minnesota a 鈥渢rans refuge state,鈥� bucking against transgender rights. The bill, which is still in committee in the Senate, would firm up protections covered by an
FREE LUNCHES
Breakfasts and lunches will be in K-12 public and charter schools starting in the next school year, regardless of family income. Lawmakers passed and the governor signed legislation for the state to cover the cost.
PAID LEAVE
A has had numerous hearings and has several to go before it reaches either floor. It would partially replace up to 12 weeks of wages in a 52-week period to care for a sick family member or a newborn or adopted child, and up to 12 weeks for an employee's own illness. Republicans and business groups object because it would be funded by a 0.7% payroll tax.
BONDING
A Democratic effort to pass a known as a bonding bill that cleared the House to provide the required 60% supermajority. Senate Republicans want tax cuts in exchange. Democrats have threatened to pass an all-cash projects bill instead, which would not require GOP votes.
ELECTIONS
Walz signed a bill to when they leave prison instead of when they're off probation. More than 55,000 Minnesotans will benefit. Supporters say it will help reintegrate former inmates who are disproportionately people of color. Broader legislation to approaching floor votes. It would allow 16-and-17-year-olds to pre-register. It would also penalize people who intentionally spread disinformation to discourage Minnesotans from voting, and provide new protections for election workers.
GUN SAFETY
Two finally got hearings in a Senate committee where they died in previous sessions when the GOP was in control. It鈥檚 unclear if they can pass on the Senate floor, where Democrats now hold a one-seat majority. One would expand criminal background checks for gun transfers. A 鈥渞ed flag鈥� law would let authorities temporarily take guns from people who are a danger to themselves or others. In the House, the two measures were folded into a public safety bill.
ENVIRONMENT
Minnesota utilities must get by 2040. Walz said when he signed the bill that he's confident it will stand up against a threatened lawsuit from coal- and gas-producing North Dakota. His administration also wants to restrict nonessential uses of known as PFAS.
MARIJUANA
Legislation to has cleared more than 20 committees between the House and Senate but has more to go. While the last year, it鈥檚 not clear if there will be enough support on the Senate floor.
SPORTS BETTING
It's an even-money wager on Tribes could offer in-person betting at their casinos and remote wagering via mobile devices. The big question is whether supporters can find enough votes in the Senate, where some lawmakers want to give the state鈥檚 two horse tracks a piece of the action.
Steve Karnowski, The Associated Press
