The Minnesota House of Representatives approved its version of the State Government Finance bill which includes funding for MDVA, Veterans provisions and other agency budgets. The Veterans portion of the bill was outlined in last week’s update.

The bill, SF 605, was approved on Monday by the Ways and Means committee. It was then scheduled to be heard by the full House of Representatives on Thursday. During the floor debate there were no amendments added that pertained to Veterans. The bill was passed with a vote of 75-55.

The legislature is now on a break for Easter and Passover. There will be no official business conducted starting Saturday April 8th until Monday the 17th. Once legislators come back to St. Paul the House and Senate will appoint conference committee members for the State Government Finance bill. This committee will work out the differences between the bills passed separately by the House and Senate. The legislature will have about five weeks to complete this process, -- while also gaining the approval of Governor Dayton -- before the constitutionally mandated adjournment on May 22nd.

On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate passed SF 106. This bill would change the World War I plaque within the Court of Honor to include all Veterans that served during the Great War. The current plaque only reflects those that served abroad. The bill was supported unanimously, 66-0. The House companion, HF 965, is currently awaiting action in the House committee on Rules and Legislative Administration.