On the Senate Floor this week, Senator Julia Coleman (R-Chanhassen)voted in support of several omnibus budget bills providing critical funding in the agriculture, judiciary, and jobs sectors of Minnesota life. These bills shine a spotlight on the highest needs within each part of the budget and find solutions to problems that have risen since the previous biennium budget. 

The Jobs budget primarily focuses on economic recovery, workforce training and business development services, and addresses the shortage of childcare in many communities. Included in the budget is Senator Coleman’s provision to advance Minnesota’s pregnancy and nursing accommodations in the workplace, which among other advancements, prevents employers from docking a woman’s pay for breastfeeding or pumping. 

“No mother should have to choose between breastfeeding her child or maintaining her income,” Coleman said.  “I am very proud to see these advances and expansions for pregnant and nursing mothers move forward in the budget bill.”

Included in the Judiciary budget is funding for important programs like domestic abuse shelters, crime victim services, emergency communications, and much more. A major advancement in the bill will close the “intoxication loophole” brought to light by a Supreme Court ruling that overturned a sexual assault conviction because the victim was voluntarily inebriated.  

“Sexual assault survivors have gone through enough,” said Senator Coleman, who co-authored the provision closing the intoxication loophole. “It is absolutely imperative that Minnesota statute be updated to remove this victim-blaming language. We must protect survivors and give them the best chance possible of receiving justice.” 

In the Agriculture budget, the Senate is providing historic funding to the Border-to-Border Broadband Grant program, which will provide permanent broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas. This dire need was brought to light by COVID-19, when rural Minnesotans were unequipped for the swift change to remote work, school, and life. There is also funding to continue the important program for farmers and their mental health through a 24-hour crisis hotline. 

Budget negotiations will continue in the Senate in the coming weeks before merging with the House for Conference Committee. If the Legislature can come to an agreement on a common-sense budget, it will then be up to Governor Walz to sign into law or veto the many layers of Minnesota’s budget needs.