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.

In even-numbered years Governors usually propose Supplemental Budget revisions to the Biennial Budget which are then acted upon by the Legislature.