This week the legislature finished its work on each chamber’s respective budget bills. Conference committees have now been formed to iron out the differences between the bills passed by the House and the Senate.

On Tuesday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed its version of SF 2227, the State Government Finance bill. Rep. Michael Nelson of Brooklyn Park is the bill author. The bill passed with no major changes to Veterans policy or for MDVA. The vote was 73-58.

By the end of Wednesday, the conference committee members were named. The House will be led by Reps. Nelson, Rob Ecklund (International Falls), Mike Freiberg (Golden Valley), Ray Dehn (Minneapolis) and Debra Kiel (Crookston). Senate members include Senators Mary Kiffmeyer (Big Lake), Bruce Anderson (Buffalo), Mark Koran (North Branch), Andrew Mathews (Milaca) and Jim Carlson (Eagan). Sen. Kiffmeyer and Rep. Nelson will alternate who leads the committee each day, starting with Kiffmeyer.

Finally, the Minnesota Senate passed SF 242 with a vote of 65-0. The bill, authored by Sen. Dan Hall, would establish every third Friday in September as POW and MIA Recognition Day in Minnesota. The House version of this bill is awaiting a full vote of the chamber.