LAWMAKERS GET DOWN TO BUDGET BUSINESS

03/20/2007

Pioneer Press | March 20, 2007


It's budget crunch time at the Minnesota Legislature. The Senate plans to pass all its tax and spending bills by April 2, and House tax and finance subcommittees must wrap up their budget bills by that date.

That means if you want to push for a favorite appropriation or tax provision, you'd better act fast.

The Senate tentatively plans to pass its higher education and agriculture appropriation bills Thursday, and as many as three other big spending bills by Saturday, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark, DFL-St. Cloud, said Monday. Leaders hope to complete action on nine of the 10 major funding bills by the end of next week.

The full House could vote on its transportation and bonding bills by Saturday. House leaders plan to act on the other spending bills and a property tax relief measure shortly after the Legislature returns April 10 from its Easter-Passover break.