Minnesota Budget Process

Knowing the nuts and bolts of how the Minnesota budget process works is essential for getting involved in state budget decisions. We provide tools to help you navigate the state budget process. Our work also focuses on budget process policy issues, from best practices for Minnesota's budget reserve to harmful proposals to limit the state's ability to make decisions that best meet Minnesotans' needs.

Research

February 2012

Constitutional amendment would undermine Minnesota's economic recovery

A proposal to amend the state's constitution would severely limit how much the state could spend from year to year. The amendment would undermine Minnesota's ability to quickly recover from a recession and make it nearly impossible to make the investments necessary to keep the state economically competitive.

February 2012

Supermajority amendment would create pressure to increase property taxes

A proposed constitutional supermajority amendment would lead to unintended consequences, including cost-shifting to the local level, creating pressure to increase property taxes.

January 2012

Constitutional budget limits would put Minnesota's future at risk

Amending the Minnesota Constitution to limit lawmakers' ability to use available resources or decide the size of the state budget would endanger the state's economic future. Three proposed constitutional amendments would limit lawmakers' ability to respond to changing circumstances and needs. They would result in legislative gridlock and more budget gimmicks, ultimately putting the state's future at risk.

May 2011

Constitutional revenue limits damaged Colorado's business climate, quality of life

In 1992, Colorado adopted TABOR, a constitutional amendment that strictly limits state spending. The state soon found itself falling behind in many economic performance and achievement indicators. In 2005, a bipartisan, broad-based coalition of state leaders and groups succeeded in temporarily suspending TABOR to allow Colorado's economy to recover.

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