Friday, the Minnesota Senate passed a comprehensive budget funding the state’s agencies and providing needed support resources for our veterans. The Senate also voted today for the ninth time to end Governor Tim Walz’s emergency powers. The vote was done by an amendment to the State Government and Veterans’ Budget bill. It was added to the budget bill with tri-partisan support.   

“Minnesota has essentially returned to normal, and it’s time for our state government to do the same,” Senator Gene Dornink (R-Hayfield) said Friday. “The Legislature cannot function like this – one man making decisions for all three legislative bodies. I am hopeful the House will join us and finally end the emergency powers.”

This bill also provides significant resources to support veterans as many return home from service with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or injuries that lead to substance abuse and in need of intervention, empathy, and kindness. This bill provides significant resources for suicide prevention and crisis support, and includes a compromise for the Veterans Restorative Justice Act, which provides alternative sentencing options for veterans who have committed certain criminal offenses. Veterans who are in the program would be diverted to receive therapy, substance abuse support, or treatment for needs that are so often tied to service. 

“I am pleased to see significant additions of resources to support our veterans across generations. From the Veterans Restorative Justice Act to suicide prevention and crisis support, I know the bravest men and women in Minnesota will be taken care of.”