Minnesota lawmaker says Senate passed comprehensive budget with property tax relief, housing and food support

A lawmaker speaking to reporters after long negotiations said the Minnesota Senate has passed a comprehensive budget package that the Senate intends to send to the governor.

"We have passed a comprehensive budget and we have moved that through the process," the lawmaker said, adding the package responds to recent hardships Minnesotans have faced.

The lawmaker outlined several consumer-facing provisions designed to ease cost pressures: $125 million in property tax relief, added rental-assistance funding (the lawmaker said the Senatewould reach $165 million when combined with other appropriations), and a $10 million addition for food support to food banks and food shelves.

The lawmaker framed the budget as a response to reduced federal directed payments, saying the Senate insisted on measures such as retroactive medical assistance coverage for people who lose insurance and need care. "We insisted that retroactive coverage be included so that people who get sick or are in an accident and don't have health coveragecan get medical assistance," the lawmaker said.

The statement also summarized a $1.2 billion bonding bill and described the budget as maintaining structural balance and preserving the state's rainy-day account.

The lawmaker expressed frustration that some Senate priorities were rejected by the House and said they were doubtful the House would take up certain bills, including a gun-violence measure the Senate passed.