Minnesota State Budget

Each odd numbered year the governor proposes, and the legislature ratifies, the Operating Budget, often called the Biennial Budget, for the State of Minnesota. This budget is for a two year period. This budget includes expenditures for education, roads and bridges, technology, health care, public safety, housing, natural resources, agriculture, economic development, higher education, as well as dollars to state agencies, and local units of government. The budget process for the next biennium begins in July of even-numbered years when Minnesota Management & Budget issues budget instructions to state agencies.

Economic and budget forecasts are issued twice annually in November and February. The Governor's budget recommendations are released in January of odd-numbered years. The Legislature then adopts a final budget during the ensuing Legislative session.

In most years there are five releases of state budget data. These releases are coincident with:

November Economic Forecast
Governors Budget Recommendations (January or February)
February Economic Forecast
Revised Governors Budget Recommendations (usually in March)
End of Session Estimates (usually in May or June)

When seeking budget information here or elsewhere it is important to understand this cycle and which version of the documents you are seeking or reviewing.

Capital budgets are primarily funded through the issuance of state general obligation bonds. Items funded in capital budgets often include land acquisition, repair, renovation and construction of state facilities; acquisition, construction and repair of state parks, trails, interpretive centers, campground facilities, forests, wildlife management areas, dams and flood control structures. Capital budgets also include grants to local government for repair and construction of schools, parks, bridges and wastewater treatment facilities. Historically, major capital budget bills have been passed in even numbered years.