2010 Legislative Session Comes to an End
May 20, 2010

The 2010 Legislative Session came to an end, May 17, 2010, after a last minute deal was struck between the Governor and leadership of the Minnesota Senate and House to fix the $3 billion budget deficit.  The late budget agreement required the legislature to go into “overtime," which was called by the Governor to allow the House and Senate time to pass the necessary legislation. 

The budget deal addresses Minnesota’s current budget deficit through cuts in government spending and a nearly $2 billion cost shift in payments to schools.  The budget bill has a provision stating that school districts will be paid back in the next biennium, but does not provide a funding source or mechanism to guarantee the repayment.    

In addition to the late hour budget deal, the 2010 Legislature reduced spending in March by roughly $312 Million.  These budget cuts included reductions to Local Government Aid (LGA), Public Safety and Higher Education.  The Youth Intervention Programs funds were reduced in this bill by 1.5% beginning FY 2011.

There are several omnibus bills that did not make it through the legislative process this session, including the K-12 Education and Health and Human Services Bills. 


Farewell to a Key Youth Advocate
While several legislators announced their retirement, we want to acknowledge the leadership of  State Senator and Co-Chair of the Children and Youth Caucus, Mee Moua who unexpectedly announced her retirement this past weekend. Her leadership will be greatly missed!

Youth Community Connections
200 Oak Street SE, Suite 270B ~ Minneapolis, MN 55455
PH: 612.627.0160
WEB: www.youthcommunityconnections.org