Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria joined his Minnesota Senate colleagues in passing the “Keep Minnesota Open” bill to fully fund state government for the next two years in the event of a legislative stalemate. Unlike legislation previously passed this session by the House of Representatives that will only reimburse state employees for time missed time during a government shutdown, the Senate approach avoids that scenario completely by keeping the government open for all Minnesotans.

Following the passage of the bill, Senator Ingebrigtsen released the following statement:

“Since we are constitutionally mandated to adjourn on Monday, it imperative that we pass a continuing appropriation to keep Minnesota open to provide critical services for the residents of this state. While I hope negotiations can progress, we are currently at an impasse as the House and Governor continue to push for billions of dollars in tax increases. If we cannot get a deal, this solution will allow us to prevent shutdown without new taxes or cuts to government.”

If a budget agreement is not reached by June 30, all state government funding would cease until a budget is passed. In 2017, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in The Ninetieth Minnesota State Senate, et al., v. Mark B. Dayton that no legal mechanism exists to fund essential state government services outside of a legislative appropriation. As such, this legislation fully funds state government at the forecasted levels for the next two years – ensuring there is no lapse in funding for essential state government services.

The legislature is constitutionally-mandated to adjourn on Monday, May 20.