Minnesota State Senator Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) returned to the Capitol on Monday, February 12 for the opening of the 2024 session of the Minnesota Legislature. The conversations this session will be shaped in mostly by the February revenue forecast detailing the state’s financial picture, to be released later this month. A report issued by the office of Minnesota Management and Budget last December projected a small budget surplus for the upcoming session and a whopping $2.5 billion deficit in the following budget cycle.
This session, Johnson is returning as Senate Minority Leader and will lead Republicans in addressing issues important to Minnesotans, fixing the law Democrats changed last year which resulted in school resource officers being removed from schools across the state, and relieving schools and businesses of some of the numerous new mandates passed last session.
“Minnesotans are still reeling from last session and only just beginning to feel the effects of the impractical, onerous, and extreme new legislation,” Johnson said. “Senate Republicans and I will work this year to highlight some commonsense, bipartisan repairs to get Student Resource Officers back in schools, help our main street businesses and local charities, support rural healthcare operations, and pass a balanced bonding bill that prioritizes clean water, safe roads and bridges, and projects with a regional impact.”
While the even-numbered year is typically when the legislature passes a bonding, or borrowing bill, the legislature passed $2.6 billion in bonding requests in 2023. Johnson said a balanced bonding bill that doesn’t strain the state’s delicate budget would be an imperative this year. “Politicians spent so much money last year, it’s time for us all to take a break and really focus on just the highest needs and necessities,” Johnson concluded.
Contact information
Constituents are encouraged to contact Senator Johnson with any questions, concerns, or feedback:
- Email: Sen.Mark.Johnson@senate.mn
- Phone: 651-296-5782
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