Minnesota Lawmakers Avoid Partial Shutdown as Final Budget Passes

The Final Budget Bill Was Sent to Gov. Tim Walz's Desk Late Tuesday

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota lawmakers averted a partial government shutdown at midnight Wednesday by sending the final budget bill to Gov. Tim Walz’s desk.

The Senate unanimously approved the $21 billion K-12 education funding agreement, the last must-pass bill before the midnight deadline. Walz has now signed eight budget bills into law and has four others on his desk.

“You always get end-of-session drama we always say there has to be that one thing,” said Walz. “And it always gets a little bit that way but I think everybody is committed to getting it done.”

Lawmakers took the state to the brink of a shutdown over the past month by dragging their feet on the $52 billion budget. They paved the way to an on-time finish overnight with a deal to end Walz’s COVID-19 emergency powers and a compromise on police accountability measures. Walz expressed relief over the move, stating he was the “happiest man in the state.”

The final bill scheduled for Wednesday night is a taxes bill that is not required to pass by midnight. It includes nearly $1 billion in tax breaks, including full forgiveness of business Paycheck Protection Program loans and the first $10,200 of 2020 unemployment benefits from state taxes.