On Tuesday (May 2), the State Government Finance conference committee adopted language that reflects the agreement between the House and Senate conferees. With agreements in place for all of the budget conference committees, legislative leadership will begin negotiating a final budget agreement with Governor Dayton.

The agreed upon language for the State Government Finance bill includes six Veterans related provisions. They are as follows:

• The MN GI Bill will be expanded to allow new uses that include paying for fees that are encumbered in apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs. It also provides for parity with the Federal GI Bill.
• Veterans Journey Home would provide housing for Veterans with low to moderate income.
• Amending the Support Our Troops fund statute to allow Veterans to use that fund if they are unable to pay the burial fee for spouses.
• The Veterans Defense Project would receive a grant through the Humanities Center to assist Veterans that are in the court system as well as educate the court system with issues related to Veterans.
• Veterans services disclosure statement which would let Veterans know that they can receive services for free rather than from private, for-profit providers.
• $10 million for a new Veterans Home. The language specifies that MDVA would decide where the next home is placed based upon geographic need, consistent with any guidance or requirements provided by federal law.

The agreement does not include three pieces that MDVA had requested. Governor Dayton did include the following provisions:

• Funding to operate the new Duluth Veterans Cemetery.
• Repair and betterment funding for MDVA buildings at the Minnesota Veterans Homes.
• Operating budget adjustment so that MDVA can continue providing the highest levels of service and care to Minnesota Veterans throughout the state.

Additionally, the House of Representatives released its bonding bill on Tuesday. This bill borrows money to pay for public works projects throughout the state. They included $5 million for asset preservation, but did not include money to repair the Historic Truss Bridge at the Minneapolis Veterans Home.