Matthew Alvarez

2 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Brian Bakst |Ellie Roth |Matthew Alvarez

Create an account or log in to save stories. Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories. Minnesota lawmakers are breathing a bit easier now that they’ve finally adopted a new budget — roughly $66 billion over the next two years. The Legislature met earlier this week for a special session to get the work done. There were protests, long debates, stories of immigration, but lawmakers managed to pass 15 bills in less than one day.

3 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Brian Bakst |Matthew Alvarez

It’s been about three weeks since the the Legislature adjourned from the 2025 session without completing a state budget. Since then, teams of negotiators have met, mostly in private, to try to chart a path to the end and craft remaining budget bills. Lawmakers will have to complete this task within the next few weeks to avoid a partial government shutdown that would interrupt services in state parks, key health programs, driver’s licensing exams and more.

1 month ago | mprnews.org | Cathy Wurzer |Matthew Alvarez

Create an account or log in to save stories. Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories. The next stop for President Donald Trump’s backed budget bill is the U.S. Senate. The Republican backed measure incudes tax cuts, more money for border security, and about $1 trillion less being spent on Medicaid and food assistance programs. U.S. Sen.

1 month ago | mprnews.org | Emily F. Reese |Gretchen Brown |Matthew Alvarez

Create an account or log in to save stories. Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories. The Republican-controlled U.S. House has passed a multi-trillion-dollar budget bill. Named the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” and backed by President Donald Trump, it includes tax cuts, more money to border security and about $1 trillion less to Medicaid and SNAP food assistance.

1 month ago | mprnews.org | Brian Bakst |Matthew Alvarez

The Minnesota Legislature is hanging around a bit longer. The yearly work was supposed to end Monday, May 19 but lawmakers adjourned with unfinished business. Now, they’re gearing up for a special session. Most of the budget is unresolved and the final points of agreement are still not in hand. So when might this be done and is a government shutdown a possibility? Friday at noon, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with Gov.