On Monday, Minnesota Senate Republicans announced their agenda for the upcoming legislative session. The agenda, known as ‘Vision 2020’, is a series of principles and priorities that will guide public policy work during the 2020 legislative session, which convenes on February 11.

“Our vision for 2020 is about building on the positive, bipartisan work done as the only split legislature in the nation. Our state’s budget surplus – currently estimated at around $1.3 billion – will allow us to consider proposals to put some of that money back in the pockets of the taxpayers, including income tax relief for farmers, families, small business, charities, and parents. We will also continue monitoring the costs of health care and prescription drugs, explore ways to cut down on violent crime in the metro area, and put together a capital investment bill that prioritizes infrastructure,” said Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson), chair of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. “The 2020 legislative session is rapidly approaching. I’m looking forward to getting to work on these issues, many of which are really important to my constituents.”

Vision 2020 is an open-ended agenda that will be used to guide the Senate Republican majority’s priorities during the 2020 legislative session, including capital investment, a supplemental budget, and tax relief. Additionally, Senate Republicans will be focused on lowering the costs of health care, enhancing public safety, working on our transportation infrastructure, funding programs that work in education, and more. More information, including more specifics, on the Vision 2020 agenda can be found on the Minnesota Senate Republicans website. 

“Traditionally, the legislature passes a state budget in odd-numbered years and focus on capital investment projects in even-numbered years. We passed a $50 billion budget in 2019, which is the largest in state history; however, with state officials projecting a budget surplus this year, I have no doubt that Governor Walz will submit a supplemental budget request to pay for programs he feels were omitted from last year’s historic budget. Some of the governor’s supplemental budget request may have some merit; however, before rushing headlong into even more spending, perhaps Minnesotans might take a long, hard look at our state’s current spending habits and the state agencies responsible for spending that money,” said Senator Newman.

The 2020 legislative session begins on February 11. 

Senator Scott Newman represents McLeod, Meeker, Sibley, and Swift counties in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as chair of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.