Going after fraudulent behavior through withholding payments and added whistleblower protection are key aspects of the omnibus state government policy bill.

With all session committee deadlines less than two weeks away, House leaders announced an agreement Saturday on committee finance targets while crafting a spending plan for the 2026-27 biennium.

Cuts in education spending may be inevitable in the coming years as Minnesota faces a projected nearly $6 billion budget deficit in the 2028-29 biennium.

When the Legislature authorized unemployment insurance for hourly school workers during summers beginning in 2023, it began reimbursing school districts for the costs.

Gov. Tim Walz revised his two-year budget plan on Friday, proposing additional spending cuts this year and into the future to respond to a growing projected deficit.

It looks as if those calling for less state spending could get their wish, judging from Thursday’s release of the February 2025 Budget and Economic Forecast.

Education Commissioner Willie Jett asked the House Education Finance Committee an important question Tuesday.

Fraud and potential waste within state government is an oft-touted Republican priority in the 2025 legislative session.

The House DFL plans to focus on child care, health care and housing during this legislative session.

Gov. Tim Walz took a major first step in that process Thursday by announcing his proposed 2026-27 biennium budget, which totals $65.9 billion in General Fund spending. This is a slimming down from the $70.7 billion General Fund appropriations for the current 2024-25 biennium.

He must work with a divided Legislature to pass a two-year budget before this summer or risk a government shutdown.

Three words — waste, fraud and abuse — are burrowing deep into the Capitol lexicon ahead of a 2025 legislative session where Republicans will have more sway than they do now and where the long-term budget outlook has triggered early alarm bells.