The Minnesota Senate announced on Wednesday that it would officially run out of money on December 1, 2017 unless new funding becomes available or the courts act to restore the legislative appropriation vetoed by Gov. Mark Dayton.  The depletion of funding would suspend all operations of the Senate, halting crucial constituent services and public committee hearings and further force the furlough of over 200 Senate employees.

“Today is a sad day as our great state continues to edge closer to the suspension of operations of the Senate and the eventual disbandment of the legislature,” said Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria). “Governor Dayton’s veto of the legislature budget puts us all at risk and his choices will directly result in the silence millions of residents across the state. Without our appropriation our legislative offices will no longer be capable of accomplishing the many critical tasks which have been assigned to the legislature.  This means that when a constituent calls in about MNsure we won’t be able to get them an immediate answer. It also means that when something goes wrong, like we’re currently seeing with Minnesotans trying to renew licenses, our members won’t be able to host a committee hearing to start working towards a solution.”

 
The Senate plans to ask the Legislative Coordinating Committee (LCC) for use of its carry-forward funds next week in order to temporarily extend its operation. Yet even with help from the carry-forward fund of the LCC, the Senate would still be forced to suspend all operations on January 12, more than a month before the start of the 2018 session.

“The future of our state is in jeopardy and I join Republicans and Democrats from legislature to call on the courts or governor to act and restore full funding to our branch of government.”