Menu

Laurie Pumper

About Laurie Pumper

Posts by Laurie Pumper:

Minnesota Capitol Building

Ewald at the Capitol: Legislature Passes State Budget in Special Session

, , , , , ,

 

June 13, 2025

LEGISLATURE PASSES STATE BUDGET IN SPECIAL SESSION

Legislature Passes State Budget in Special Session

The legislature finally completed the state’s two-year budget early Tuesday morning after a lengthy 21-hour special session. They narrowly avoided the June 30 deadline, which would have resulted in a partial government shutdown. The day progressed smoothly, a nice change of pace from an intense regular session defined by a tied House membership and three special elections.

The 2025 legislative session began with a power struggle in the House after a court ruled that a Democratic member did not meet the residency requirement for his seat, leaving the body with a 67-66 Republican majority. House Democrats denied a quorum by staying away from the Capitol to prevent House Republicans from operating as the majority during the first three weeks of session.

A special election to fill the seat was won by the Democratic candidate, restoring the House to a 67-67 tie. A power-sharing agreement gave the speakership to Rep. Lisa Demuth (R) and required 68 votes to pass legislation. There was also concern that Republicans would not allow Rep. Brad Tabke to take his seat after a close election and a court decision declaring Tabke the winner.

The Senate faced its share of challenges as well, despite an amiable start. Sen. Kari Dziedzic (DFL) sadly passed away in December. The Senate was tied 33-33 and operated under a power-sharing agreement until a special election was held to fill the vacant seat, which DFL candidate Sen. Doron Clark won, restoring the party’s majority to 34-33. Then, in the middle of the session Sen. Justin Eichorn (R) resigned after his arrest for solicitation of a minor. A special election was held to fill the seat, won by Republican Sen. Kari Heintzeman.

In addition to all this uncertainty, the budget forecast for the next biennium showed the state facing a significant budget shortfall. Legislators struggled to agree on how best to address the deficit, and negotiations were made even more difficult given the tie in the House and a slim Democratic majority in the Senate.

After adjourning the regular session on May 19 without a budget deal, the legislature spent three weeks hashing out an agreement on the unresolved budget areas — largely behind closed doors. The new budget spends $66 billion over two years, 8% smaller than the previous $72 billion plan passed in 2023, reflecting the end of federal pandemic aid and a more negative fiscal outlook for the state. Although legislators closed nearly half of the projected long-term deficit, Minnesota is still expected to face a $290 million deficit in the 2028–29 budget cycle. Most of the $283 million in cuts came from the Department of Human Services.

As part of the compromise, Democratic leadership agreed to pass a key Republican priority to repeal MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented adults, a move strongly opposed by most in their caucus. A $700 million capital investment bonding bill was also passed with bipartisan support. The budget is headed to Gov. Tim Walz’s desk, and he has 14 days to sign or veto the bills.

The legislature’s work may not be finished. Another special session may be required later in the year if Medicaid cuts are passed at the federal level, which would result in an even more dire fiscal situation for the state.

Following is a summary of the key legislation passed this year.

Health Finance Bill (HF 2)

The House Health Committee and the Senate Health and Human Services Committee were tasked with building a biennial budget that included a $97.6 million reduction in FY26-27 and a nearly $298 million reduction for FY28-29. This budget area includes appropriations for the Departments of Health, Human Services, and Children, Youth, and Families, and incorporates the House Children & Families Committee budget.

HF 2 includes funding for several new initiatives, including establishment of a dementia services program, maternal death review and reporting, and creation of a rural emergency medical services uncompensated care pool to help EMS providers receive payment for unreimbursed services. It also includes a training and staffing grant program to support the recruitment and education of emergency medical technicians.

The bill creates a prepared meals grant program, provides regional food bank grants, dedicates funding for Tribal food programs, and establishes a new family supportive housing grant program. Additional investments include opioid overdose prevention education and grants to expand access to opiate antagonists on Tribal College campuses.

HF 2 also includes a number of child welfare and early care investments, such as a one-time appropriation to upgrade the county child welfare case management system. It enhances childcare provider support with grants for installing security cameras and strengthens oversight for maltreatment notices. Additionally, the bill requires social media platforms to include mental health warning labels.

The bill creates or expands several programs to address healthcare workforce & licensing, including establishing a limited licensure for foreign medical graduates and providing a path to full licensure. It also establishes licensure for certified midwives and reduces the fee for speech-language pathology assistant licensure.

Finally, HF 2 establishes the County Administered Rural Medical Assistance (CARMA) Program, which builds on the existing county-based purchasing model for Medical Assistance enrollees in greater Minnesota. CARMA aims to improve care coordination by integrating health care, public health, and social services at the local level to better address health-related social needs.

The Department of Health budget was tied to the passage of HF 1, which repeals MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented persons. Had HF 1 not passed or if Gov. Walz does not sign the bill, funding for the Department of Health will not be approved.

Human Services Finance Bill (HF 3)

The House and Senate Human Services Committees were tasked with building a biennial budget that included a $270 million reduction in FY26-27 and an $820 million reduction in FY28-29. The omnibus human services policy bill was passed and signed by Gov. Walz on May 23.

Included in the finance bill is funding for the Self-Directed Worker Bargaining agreement, which is the collective bargaining agreement between the state of Minnesota and SEIU-Healthcare for self-directed home care service providers. HF 3 also includes funding for wage increases in nursing homes, funding support for implementing recommendations from the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, and a new licensing and oversight system for autism service providers.

To address the budget reductions, HF 3 includes a cap on inflation adjustments for long-term care waivers at the consumer price index or 4%. It also adjusts nursing facility payment formulas to reduce automatic inflation indexing, places tighter restrictions on what Medical Assistance covers for day and unit-based services and reduces pay for overnight supervisory caretakers when they are not awake.

Additionally, the bill establishes an advisory task force to advise the legislature and governor on ways to reduce cost growth in long-term services.

MinnesotaCare Eligibility (HF 1)

HF 1 was a compromise stand-alone bill agreed to by legislative leaders. In the House, Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman was the only DFL vote in favor of the bill, which passed 68-65. In the Senate, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Senators Hauschild, Kupec, and Rest voted in favor, which passed 37-30. No Republicans voted against HF 1.

MinnesotaCare provides subsidized health insurance to low-income individuals. Legislation passed in 2023 authorized eligibility for undocumented persons, adults over the age of 18 years old and children under the age of 18 years old; it took effect Jan. 1, 2025.

HF 1 limits undocumented persons’ eligibility for MinnesotaCare to those 18 years old or older to the number of people already enrolled in MinnesotaCare as of the effective date of HF 1 (the day after the governor signs the bill into law) AND provides that as of Jan. 1, 2026, undocumented persons over the age of 18 are not eligible for MinnesotaCare. MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented persons under the age of 18 years is maintained in HF 1.

Education Finance (HF 5)

The Education Finance Committee was tasked with crafting a biennial budget that incorporated a $420 million reduction for FY28-29, while still responding to immediate fiscal pressures facing school districts. HF 5 meets the $420 million reduction target but does so by trimming a few areas of the education budget. Most notably, the bill reduces reimbursement for special education transportation and establishes a Blue-Ribbon Commission charged with identifying $250 million in cost-saving strategies within special education.

To offset some immediate challenges, HF 5 includes a $50 million appropriation for compensatory revenue, which supports targeted services for students from low-income families. Most importantly, the bill protects the K-12 general education per-pupil funding formula, the core funding stream for school districts, from any cuts — marking a significant policy choice amid broader reductions.

Jobs/Labor Bill (SF 17)

The recently passed Jobs and Labor bill made several changes for businesses and local governments, focusing on workplace policies that impact both employers and employees.

One of the changes involves the Paid Leave Law. In a move aimed at easing costs for employers, the bill lowers the maximum annual premium rate that can be charged by the paid leave program. Previously set at 1.2 percent of taxable wages, this rate will now be capped at 1.1 percent, offering a modest reduction in payroll expenses for businesses.

The bill also makes two changes to the Earned Safe and Sick Time (ESST) law. First, employers now have a bit more flexibility when it comes to verifying an employee’s need for ESST. Specifically, employers can request reasonable documentation after two consecutive scheduled work days of ESST use, rather than the previous threshold of three days. Additionally, the bill clarifies how ESST hours are allocated for part-time employees and those who join a company mid-year.

Transportation Finance (HF 14)

The Omnibus Transportation bill (HF 14) provides $9.88 billion in transportation funding over the next biennium and includes $115 million in general fund transportation cuts agreed to by legislative leaders and the governor. Most of the reductions in the bill will be to public transportation in both the metro and Greater Minnesota as well as a temporary reduction in future proceeds from the sales tax on auto parts that were to be dedicated to transportation.

The bill authorizes funding for $454.09 million for state road construction and $650 million to rebuild Duluth’s Blatnik Bridge.

Policy changes include increasing the annual Electric Vehicle fee to a minimum of $150 and $75 for plug-in hybrid vehicles as well as establishing a new per-kilowatt hour charge at public electric vehicle charging stations.

The bill did not include a delay in the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions in transportation projects or a proposal brought forward late in the legislative process to shift half of the funds ($93 million) that counties would collect from a metro-wide sales tax toward the Metropolitan Council to build out Metro Transit’s bus rapid transit lines.

Capital Investment/Bonding Bills (HF 17 and HF 18)

HF 17 provides $6.5 million in general fund (cash) funding for a variety of projects such as funding for law enforcement emergency entry device grants at schools, replacing a statue located in the U.S. Capitol of Henry Mower Rice with a statue of Hubert H. Humphrey, and the public safety officer hearing protection program. The bill passed the House 96-34 and the Senate 37-30.

HF 18 provides approximately $700 million in bonding funds for projects with a strong focus on transportation and water infrastructure funding. The bill passed the House 116-15 and the Senate 57-10 with significant bipartisan support.

Taxes (HF 9)

The House (93-39) and the Senate (34-33) passed an omnibus tax bill which increases state revenue by $118 million, mainly through a combination of the increased cannabis gross receipts tax, eliminating a tax exemption for electricity use by data centers, and repealing local government cannabis aid.

The bill includes tax breaks for research and development and makes changes to a handful of city Tax Increment Finance districts.

The bill does not contain cuts in County Program Aid and Local Government Aid to cities and counties that were originally contained in the Senate regular session tax bill.

A governor’s initiative to expand sales taxes to financial services (including accounting services) is not in HF 9.

State Government Finance/Elections (SF 3045)

Legislation providing $1.35 billion to fund state government agencies passed the House (116-18) and Senate (36-31) during the regular session of the legislature. SF 3045 increases funding to the operations of agencies for the 2026-27 biennium by $46.5 million. The bill also contains numerous oversight provisions to identify and prevent fraud and abuse in the state and provides greater oversight into the state government through the Office of the Legislative Auditor.

SF 3045 also contains numerous election administration provisions such as requiring absentee voter applicants to provide both a Minnesota driver’s license or state identification card number and the last four digits of their Social Security number to verify their identity, requiring mailed and online absentee ballot applications to be received at least five days before an election and requiring counties to formalize a chain of custody plan for handling election-related materials, and establishing an absentee ballot delivery deadline of 5:00 p.m. on election day.
 

 

 

Ewald at the Capitol: Legislature Fails to Pass Budget Before Adjournment

, , , , , ,

 

May 20, 2025

LEGISLATURE FAILS TO PASS BUDGET BEFORE ADJOURNMENT

The legislature adjourned on Monday night without completing most of its key budget bills, despite an agreement announced last week by Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders on global budget targets. While a few omnibus budget and policy bills have passed, the legislature will need to come back for a special session to finish passing the rest of the $66 billion two-year budget this week. The governor is the only one who can call the legislature back for a special session — and he has said he will not do so until the legislature reaches agreement on the remaining budget bills.

Legislative leaders have agreed to a plan where working groups will form to find agreement on the unfinished bills. They are expected to hold public, in-person meetings starting Tuesday (today); they must finish their work by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21. However, the special session will happen after that deadline.

So far, six major budget bills have passed both chambers and are headed to Gov. Walz’s desk to be signed into law: state government finance and elections, veterans and military affairs, housing, agriculture, legacy funding, and public safety. Notably, the public safety bill included a last-minute proposal to close the Stillwater prison, a move that received criticism from both sides of the aisle for being negotiated behind closed doors without input. Another significant change redirected $77 million from the Duluth-to-Twin Cities Northern Lights Express toward extended unemployment benefits for hourly school workers.

Several of the most consequential budget bills remain unfinished — including those for education, health and human services, taxes, and transportation. Deep divisions remain within and between the two parties. One major sticking point is the proposal to end MinnesotaCare health coverage for undocumented adults — a top Republican priority that has received fierce pushback from progressive Democrats. Democratic leaders have suggested it may be taken out of the health bill and voted on separately. There’s also growing tension around potential cuts to private school aid. Senate Democrats argue it wasn’t part of the global budget agreement, while House Republicans are adamant that they won’t accept any reductions. Additionally, Republicans also want to revisit the paid leave and earned safe and sick time laws for proposed changes. Democrats have argued that is not part of the leadership agreement.

The divided House, which is evenly split, requires bipartisan cooperation on every vote. In the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority, Majority Leader Erin Murphy must secure every member’s support to pass any bill. Bipartisan compromise remains a major roadblock in getting anything passed; however, legislative leaders have expressed hope that they can wrap up the budget by Memorial Day.
 

 

 

color photo of attendees at IMA annual conference

Building Member Loyalty: Lessons from IMA’s Growth

, , , , 0

Membership retention is something all associations strive for. The International Magnesium Association (IMA) has succeeded in increasing its member retention over the past few years. From the end of 2021 to the end of 2024, membership has grown by 45%, reflecting strong engagement and continued interest in the IMA community. Not only is this a great increase in membership, members are renewing earlier in the year.

What Does IMA Offer Its Members?

The IMA provides members with industry resources and information regularly through newsletters, educational webinars, and committee meetings throughout the year. With an international reach, IMA has committees representing a variety of interests across the magnesium industry. It’s important to make your association members see value consistently all year long to ensure that they view membership as a necessity.

Annual Conferences

Like most associations, the IMA offers a registration discount to members for its Annual Conference. These conferences provide attendees with the opportunity to connect with other industry leaders from across the world that they may not normally get to interact with. Conferences can be a big draw for membership renewals and new potential members.

Membership Options

Cost can often be a deciding factor when individuals or companies consider whether or not to become members of an association. By offering a variety of membership options, your association can better meet its recruitment goals and appeal to a broader audience. Flexible membership categories can be an incentive to join — such as those tailored for students, retirees, or other specific groups. In addition, having a discounted introductory membership option, similar to what the IMA offers, can be an effective way to engage potential members who may be hesitant to commit initially. To further encourage new members, IMA has just initiated a new member type for small businesses/start-ups.

A Strong Membership Committee Is Vital

IMA has an active membership committee. Committee members pay attention to industry trends and potential members to help identify new member segments and benefit options. IMA also has two regional staff representatives who network with members and non-members and conduct outreach to current and prospective members, including at events hosted by other organizations. Association staff also play an essential role in carrying out the day-to-day activities on behalf of the committee; staff can also recommend ways to make the membership decision easier for current members. In 2024, we introduced a direct payment link for dues — so members didn’t have to login and manually complete the renewal process. Our data show that a more seamless renewal process has contributed to improved retention.

cartoon image of people sitting around a boardroom table

Shift Your Board’s Culture: Tips from CEOs

, , , , 0

At a meeting of association CEOs hosted by Ewald Consulting in March 2025, participants discussed how to shift a board governance from a culture of oversight to one of engagement — so board leaders focus on strategy more than operations.

Help a Board Stay Focused on the Big Picture

It can be easy for a board to go down a rabbit hole of focusing on operational details instead of strategic discussion and decisions. Here are some tactics that can help maintain focus:

  • Include time at each meeting for a generative discussion to make sense of industry circumstances, discover patterns and discern problems members face in their work, and to determine the organization’s role in addressing it.
  • Make time for a small element of governance training or a “mission in practice” moment at each board meeting.
  • Budget for the board chair and perhaps chair-elect to attend a governance training seminar along with the CEO each year; ASAE’s Exceptional Boards Conference and/or CEO Symposium are examples of excellent programs.

Additionally, carefully building a strategy-focused agenda for each board meeting can also help the board keep its focus on the bigger picture. One of our Associations Trends Talks addressed this topic.

Bring Discussion Back on Track

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, meeting discussion can go off topic or get stuck in wordsmithing. Every board member should feel comfortable bringing things back to the agenda — and so should the chief staff officer. Participants noted the need to “call board members back” rather than “calling them out” for crossing into discussion of operational items. While subtle, this reframing of the action keeps the positive intention behind it and disarms concern about getting stuck in a “gotcha” moment.

Align Board and CEO/Staff Roles

Clarity of roles is essential in creating a mission-driven, engaged board of directors. Some ideas for creating that clarity include:

  • Careful recruitment of board members can help identify those who demonstrate strategic thinking. Just because someone is a dedicated and hard-working committee member doesn’t mean they will make the transition to board service.
  • Once board members are elected, orientation is an essential step to reinforce expectations for service — in terms of time, talent and (perhaps) treasure.
  • So that the board can focus on higher-level matters, committee members and staff need to be aligned on their respective roles. Committee charters and orientation can help lay this groundwork. Check out ASAE’s Basics of Board Structure for ideas.
  • Use a strategy screen to introduce and evaluate new ideas. This term was introduced by David La Piana to encourage intentional, criteria-based decision making.
  • Board members can benefit from ongoing coaching by the staff CEO and other board members. Make time to have conversations between meetings about how things are going and to plan for upcoming board meetings.

Conclusion

In turbulent times, it’s more important than ever for association boards to consider how they are meeting the organization’s mission and the needs of members. It requires strategic thinking rather than obsession with details.

Want to join our CEO roundtables? Reach out to Paul Hanscom.

Want additional resources to lead your association strategically? Sign up for our Ewald Advantage monthly newsletter.

Ewald at the Capitol: Budget Bills Update

, , , , , ,

 

April 15, 2025

BUDGET BACKGROUND & UPDATES

The budget forecast released by Minnesota Management and Budget in March showed a challenging outlook for the state’s finances. The projected balance for Fiscal Year 2026-27 is $456 million, which is $160 million lower than previous estimates in November. The projected deficit for Fiscal Year 2028-29 has risen as well, from $5.15 billion in November to almost $6 billion. The negative financial outlook means that the House and Senate have reduced budget targets, which are guidelines for how much general fund money committees can allocate as they put together the state budget. In the House, due to the tied nature of the body, Democratic and Republican leadership negotiated a compromise that would reduce spending by $1.2 billion for the upcoming budget cycle and $2.6 billion in future years. The most significant cuts would be in health and human services.

The targets released by the Senate Democrats reduce state spending by $754 million in the upcoming two-year budget and by $1.7 billion in future years. As in the House, the largest cuts would be in health and human services, as well as environment, energy, transportation and education.

Last week, most House and Senate finance committees put the finishing touches on their budget bills. When the legislature returns from the Easter/Passover break next week, these bills will be heard in the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees before moving to the floor of each respective body. There are differences between the House and Senate versions of the bills, which must be reconciled before adjournment on May 19. If agreements are not finalized and passed by then, a special session will be needed to pass a budget and avoid a government shutdown.

Here is where things stand with budget bills of interest right now:

K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEES

Overall, the Senate education budget bill target allowed for no increases in spending in FY26-27 and a budget reduction of $687 million in FY28-29. Key components of the Senate proposal include removing future funding inflationary increases in basic per-pupil funding, which is the backbone of funding for public education, reduction in charter school facilities maintenance funding, and eliminating funding provided to private school materials, health and counseling services, and transportation. The Senate proposal provides one-time funding for school districts to cover costs related to unemployment insurance benefits for hourly school employees and address fiscal cliffs related to funding that supports low-income, at-risk students.

The House budget bill target allocated $40 million in one-time funding for FY26-27 and no increase in FY28-29. The House has not yet advanced their education budget bill.

HOUSE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE

Overall, the House Children and Families budget bill target was $25 million in FY26-27 and a budget reduction of $15 million in FY28-29. The key proposal in the bill appropriates one-time funding of $40 million for an IT modernization project of the child welfare system. Additional funding is also provided for food shelves, food banks and prepared meals, low-income asset-building programming, federal compliance for childcare assistance, and early learning scholarships.

SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

The Senate Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee was required to reduce spending by $261 million in FY26-27 and reduce spending by $336.8 million in FY28-29. And while the target required them to reduce spending, the Senate HHS omnibus bill did include some new spending because the Senate HHS budget included budget cancellations, increases in certain health-related fees, shifts from the Health Care Access Fund, and an increase in the Provider Tax to make up for the spending reductions.

The Senate HHS budget bill funds programs and grants in the Departments of Human Services, Children, Youth, and Families, and Health. It includes funding for mental health programs like Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities and grants for youth mental health, HIV/AIDS support services, homelessness supports, and the establishment of a dementia services program. The bill also includes $10 million for an IT modernization project of the child welfare system, ongoing funding to meet federal compliance for childcare assistance, and funding for food shelves, food banks and prepared meals.

HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE

The House Health Committee budget target required a budget reduction of $50 million in FY26-27 and a budget reduction of $175 million in FY28-29. The House Health Committee has yet to come to an agreement on an omnibus health budget bill.

SENATE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE 

The Senate Human Services Committee budget target required a reduction of $272 million in FY26-27 and a budget reduction of $430 million in FY28-29. The committee captured some of these budget reductions through reducing federal waiver expenditures, grant and administrative reductions and transfers, and billing and other fund modifications.

The bill includes new funding for several substance use disorder programs, support services for people with autism under age 21, and operating funds for the newest state agency, the Department of Direct Care and Treatment. The bill also moves the Governor’s Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota into the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council and provides additional funding to the Minnesota Board on Aging. It also includes additional funding for critical access nursing facilities and payments to SEIU Healthcare under a self-directed bargaining agreement.

HOUSE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE 

The House Human Services Committee budget target required a reduction of $300 million in FY26-27 and $1 billion in FY28–29. The committee was able to capture some of these budget reductions through reducing waiver growth, funding cancellations, and billing modifications. The bill also includes a nursing facility surcharge, which is listed as a savings of just over $177 million over the next four years. It also would reinstate parental fees under the TEFRA program (Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act), which provides Medical Assistance benefits for children with disabilities.

The House Human Services Budget invests $125 million over four years in the Community First Services and Supports program, which allows people greater independence by ensuring that they have services to stay in their own homes and replaces personal care assistance and the consumer support grant. It also includes funding for housing and homelessness support services like Safe Harbor Grants, Homeless Youth Act Grants, Shelter Capital and the Emergency Services Program. Finally, the bill funds programs to improve and expand internal systems, including the Department of Human Services program integrity and investigative analytics infrastructure and a new background studies disqualification program under the Office of the Inspector General to address fraud, waste, and abuse.

HOUSING COMMITTEES

The Senate Housing and Homeless Prevention Committee had a budget target of $3 million in FY 26-27 and $1 million in FY 28-29. In putting together their budget, the committee also took back $10 million from previously appropriated but unspent community stabilization funds. The Senate’s housing and homelessness budget invested largely in additional funding for the family homelessness prevention and assistance program. The bill also included additional funding for infrastructure programs in Greater Minnesota and community-based first-generation homebuyer programs.

The House Housing Finance and Policy Committee had a budget target of $75 million in FY26-27 and $7.6 million in FY28-29. The House budget includes one-time additional funding for housing infrastructure programs and workforce housing programs in Greater Minnesota, manufactured home grants, low-income affordable housing infrastructure programs, and Housing Infrastructure Bonds.

TRANSPORTATION

The House Transportation budget target provides no change from the February forecast base Transportation budget in FY 26-27 and FY 28-29. Key proposals found in the bill include additional funding in road construction, reductions in passenger rail service, delaying implementation of the greenhouse gas emissions assessment project and vehicle miles traveled requirements, and authorizing online driver license renewals.

The Senate Transportation omnibus bill target provides $227 million in reductions to the general fund in FY26-27 and $132 million in FY28-29. Some of the key provisions include additional funding for state roads, operating increases for MN Department of Transportation and Department of Public Safety, numerous traffic safety measures, cancelation of funding for the proposed passenger train between Duluth and the Twin Cities, Northern Lights Express, and a temporary adjustment in the percentage of sales tax on auto parts appropriated to the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund.

TAXES

The House and Senate Taxes Committees are not subject to committee deadlines and generally produce tax bills later in the legislative session. Both committees have been holding hearings on bills and laying them over for consideration for future inclusion in an omnibus tax bill.

The House Taxes budget target reduces tax aids and credits by $40 million for FY26-27 and FY28-29. The Senate Taxes Committee target includes tax increases of $365 million in FY26-27 and $370 million in FY28-29.

KEY LEGISLATIVE DATES

April 11-21, 2025 – Passover/Easter Break

April 11, 2025 – Third Committee Deadline

April 23, 2025 – Gov. Walz’s State of the State Address

April 29, 2025 – Senate District 6 Special Election

May 19, 2025 – Last Day of the 2025 Minnesota Legislature (Adjournment)

THE IMPACT OF CITIZEN TESTIMONY

Testifying before a legislative committee is a powerful way to influence policy and ensure your voice is heard. However, the process can seem intimidating, especially if you’re new to it. So, Ewald’s Government Relations Team has created a video to walk you through the steps of preparing and delivering effective testimony. A recent blog post shares real stories about the impact of citizen testimony.

Watch the Video Now
 

Read Our Blog Post
 

HELPFUL RESOURCES TO FOLLOW ACTION AT THE STATE CAPITOL

Follow these links to keep up with action at the State Capitol:

To find your legislators, visit Who Represents Me

For updates on activities at the House of Representatives,
visit the House Session Daily website.

For updates on activities at the Senate, visit Senate Media Services.

To follow committee hearings, visit the Combined Committee Schedule.

To watch House committee and floor sessions, visit the
House of Representatives YouTube Channel.

To watch Senate committee and floor sessions, visit the Senate YouTube Channel.
 
 

 

 

Screenshot image of Associations Trends Talk Video Replay from April 9 2025

Associations Trends Talk Takeaways: Build Winning Association Sponsorship Programs

, , , , , 0

Blake Finger, Betsy Pierre and Bruce Rosenthal — experts in association sponsorship and sales — held a lively discussion of trends and top tips for building successful sponsorship programs. Seven of the key takeaways from the conversation include:  

Why Non-Dues Revenue Is Important (and Challenging) 

  • Vendor Value: It’s important for associations to provide ways for vendors to reach their target markets. 
  • Understanding Market Reach: Associations may not always fully grasp the value of the audience they can offer. 
  • Need for More Revenue: Associations require additional sources of revenue, while members demand more content. 
  • Post-COVID Shift: Sponsors are now looking for measurable results, making it harder to secure support if the value isn’t clearly demonstrated.

The Role of Associations in Vendor Relations 

  • Multiple Roles: Associations must manage relationships with clients, boards, and committees. 
  • Effective Outreach: Ongoing follow-up is necessary to build commitment. 
  • Experience Matters: Associations need to know how to ask the right questions and deliver a good experience to sponsors. 
  • Follow Through: Ensure that promises made to sponsors are followed up on. 

Building Long-Term Relationships with Sponsors 

  • Understanding Sponsor Goals: Associations need to understand a sponsor’s business objectives to create a mutually beneficial relationship. 
  • Key Question: “How does your company measure success?” is a valuable question to ask potential sponsors. 
  • Going Beyond the Ask: Ask about sponsors’ goals in detail; there might be additional ways you can help, beyond what they initially requested. Or if you’re unable to fulfill a request, there may be a more helpful alternative. 
  • A la Carte Options: Smaller companies may prefer more flexible, cost-effective options rather than committing to large sponsorship packages. 

What Companies Want from Associations 

  • Business Development: Companies are looking for opportunities to grow. 
  • Brand Differentiation: They want to stand out in the market. 
  • Thought Leadership: Companies want to be seen as leaders in their industry. 

Involving the Board and Other Stakeholders 

  • Get the Board on Board: It’s essential to engage the Board of Directors and have open conversations. Committee leaders (especially related to conference planning) can also be very useful in developing sponsor programs and/or identifying potential sponsors. 
  • Vendor Engagement: Associations should not only focus on serving their members but also pay attention to vendor needs, because it ultimately benefits members. 
  • Involve Vendors: A Partner Advisory Council (or similar group) is a great way to hear directly about vendor concerns. While some associations use a standing committee, others are successful with focus groups or task forces. 

Innovative Sponsorship Ideas 

  • Engagement Offerings: Encourage sponsors to think differently about how to engage attendees. Examples: Puppy stations, barista stations that encourage people to post selfies from the event. 
  • Political Climate Opportunities: Associations should be aware of the current political and economic climate and how it can impact their vendors and members. Start the conversation on how to approach these issues. 
  • Task Force Creation: Create a task force with committee members and corporate partners to address hot issues like the impact of tariffs. 

Implementation Steps for Associations 

  • Understand Your Association’s Strengths: Assess what your association is already doing well and why. 
  • Evaluate Competitors: Look at what other associations in your space are doing and how they’re compelling vendors. 
  • Be Realistic with Timeline: Assess your timeline and target companies. Are they too big for your association? Does it make sense for them to attend your conference? 
  • Flexibility in Planning: Be open to changing your plans based on the political or economic climate. Consider the structure of your conference — does it need to be condensed or expanded? Adapt as needed. 

Watch the video of this webinar for all the details and ideas. 

Sign up here to make sure you receive future announcements about upcoming Associations Trends Talks.

Ewald at the Capitol: Special Elections

, , , , , ,

HOUSE DISTRICT 40B SPECIAL ELECTION RESULTS

The vacant seat in House District 40B has now been filled, resolving the story of which party controls the Minnesota House. The special election for the seat was held on March 11, and the DFL candidate, David Gottfried, won 70.15% to Republican candidate Paul Wikstrom’s 29.75%. Last week he was sworn in, restoring the body to a 67-67 tie.

This development significantly changes the landscape for the rest of the legislative session, as a power-sharing agreement is now in place. This means that committees will be co-chaired by a Democrat and Republican with equal members from each party serving on the committee. Until last week, Republicans had been controlling committees with a one-vote advantage. The tie will put legislators’ ability to work together in a bipartisan manner to the test, particularly as they begin to craft the state budget for the upcoming biennium — because now bills will need bi-partisan votes to advance.

The power-sharing agreements also confirmed that Rep. Lisa Demuth (R) will continue to serve as Speaker of the House for the next two years and Republicans will maintain the majority on a new anti-fraud committee for two years.

SENATE DISTRICT 6 SPECIAL ELECTION

Just when things seemed to get back to normal after the House special election, an unexpected shakeup unfolded in the Senate last week. State Senator Justin Eichorn was arrested on March 17 during a police sting operation in Bloomington for solicitation of a minor. Facing bipartisan calls for his resignation and potential expulsion from the Senate, Eichorn resigned on March 20. Senate Democrats now hold a 34-32 majority in the Senate until a special election takes place. The governor has called a special election for April 29 with a primary on April 15. As of March 27, six people had filed to run — five Republicans and one DFLer. Filings opened March 26 and will close April 1.
 
GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSALS

Gov. Tim Walz released his new budget recommendations for the upcoming biennium on March 21, revising his previous recommendations to align with the more negative financial outlook in the February budget forecast. The proposal includes an additional $409 million reduction in spending over four years. It proposes additional cuts of $162 million for 2026-27 and $247 million for 2028-29, primarily in the education budget. The proposed cuts are on top of his budget recommendations released in January.

DEADLINES

Deadlines help narrow the number of active bills. Traditionally, a bill must clear all policy committees to meet the first deadline. The second deadline requires bills to clear all policy committees in both chambers. This year the legislature agreed to a combined first and second deadline, set for Friday, April 4.

The third deadline is set for when finance committees must pass their budget bills. That deadline is scheduled for April 11.

KEY LEGISLATIVE DATES

March 29-31, 2025 – Eid Recess

April 1, 2025 – Legislature Resumes

April 4, 2025 – First and Second Committee Deadlines

April 11-21, 2025 – Passover/Easter Break

April 11, 2025 – Third Committee Deadline

April 23, 2025 – Gov. Walz’s State of the State Address

April 29, 2025 – Senate District 6 Special Election

May 19, 2025 – Last Day of the 2025 Minnesota Legislature (Adjournment)

THE IMPACT OF CITIZEN TESTIMONY

Testifying before a legislative committee is a powerful way to influence policy and ensure your voice is heard. However, the process can seem intimidating, especially if you’re new to it. So, Ewald’s Government Relations Team has created a video to walk you through the steps of preparing and delivering effective testimony. A recent blog post shares real stories about the impact of citizen testimony.
Watch the Video Now
Read Our Blog Post

HELPFUL RESOURCES TO FOLLOW ACTION AT THE STATE CAPITOL

Follow these links to keep up with action at the State Capitol:

To find your legislators, visit Who Represents Me

For updates on activities at the House of Representatives,
visit the House Session Daily website.

For updates on activities at the Senate, visit Senate Media Services.

To follow committee hearings, visit the Combined Committee Schedule.

To watch House committee and floor sessions, visit the
House of Representatives YouTube Channel.

To watch Senate committee and floor sessions, visit the Senate YouTube Channel.
Secrets for Citizen Lobbyists: How to Testify at the Minnesota Legislature

The Impact of Citizen Testimony: Real Stories from the Capitol

, , , , , 0

Introduction

The legislative process can often seem opaque and inaccessible to the average citizen. However, personal testimonies from constituents play a crucial role in shaping policy decisions. In this post, we’ll share real stories of how citizen testimony has made a significant impact at the Minnesota Capitol, illustrating the power of public engagement. For more inspiring examples and practical advice, watch our video on testifying before the Minnesota legislature.

The Role of Citizen Testimony

Citizen testimony provides legislators with valuable insights and firsthand accounts of how proposed laws affect their constituents. Unlike lobbyists, who represent specific interests, citizens speak from personal experience, making their contributions unique and highly impactful.

Case Study 1: Affordable Housing Initiative

One powerful example of impactful testimony comes from a recent affordable housing initiative. A constituent who had benefited from housing vouchers shared her story before a legislative committee. She detailed how the vouchers helped her transition from homelessness to stable housing and eventually to home ownership. Her testimony highlighted the real-life benefits of the program, helping to sway undecided legislators and secure additional funding for the initiative.

Case Study 2: Environmental Protection Bill

Another compelling story involves an environmental protection bill. A local farmer testified about the detrimental effects of pollution on his crops and livelihood. He provided data on crop yields and health issues in his community, linking them directly to pollution from nearby industrial activities. His detailed, fact-based testimony helped pass stricter environmental regulations, protecting both the environment and public health.

Why Your Testimony Matters

These stories underscore the importance of citizen engagement in the legislative process. Here’s why your testimony can make a difference:

  • Humanizing Policy Issues: Personal stories help legislators understand the human impact of their decisions.
  • Providing Expertise: Constituents often have valuable knowledge and experience that can inform better policymaking.
  • Influencing Outcomes: Well-crafted testimony can sway undecided legislators and build support for or against a bill.

Tips for Effective Testimony

To make your testimony as impactful as possible, consider these tips:

  • Be Authentic: Share your personal story, share the truth and speak from the heart. Authenticity resonates more than rehearsed speeches.
  • Be Prepared: Research the bill and understand as best as you can its implications. Provide data and evidence to support your points.
  • Be Concise: Respect the committee’s time. Focus on the most important points and stay within the allotted time.

Conclusion

Public testimony is a powerful tool in the committee process. By sharing your experiences and insights, you can help shape the laws that govern your community and state. For more real-life examples and guidance on how to make your testimony effective, watch our video on testifying before the Minnesota legislature. Remember, your voice matters. Engage with your legislators, testify before committees, and make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

Ewald at the Capitol: Work Is Moving Rapidly; MMB Releases Budget Forecast

, , , , ,

WORK IS MOVING RAPIDLY; COMMITTEE DEADLINES ANNOUNCED

With the uncertainty of the first few weeks of the legislative session behind us, work at the Capitol has been moving along at a rapid pace. The House is being run by a 67-66 Republican majority. Bills are moving through the committee process, and some have even made it to the House Floor.

A special election for the vacant seat in House District 40B will be held on March 11, which might shake things up by restoring the House to a 67-67 tie. Legislation is humming along in the Senate as well, which has an established 34-33 DFL majority.

Committee deadlines have been announced, providing a timeline for passing bills through the committee process. The first and second deadlines, where committees must act favorably on bills in both bodies, are scheduled for April 4. The third deadline, for major appropriation and finance bills, is scheduled for April 11.

BUDGET FORECAST

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its February budget forecast on Thursday, a critical milestone as the legislature begins crafting Minnesota’s state budget for the next two fiscal years.

The forecast shows a challenging outlook for the state’s finances. The projected balance for Fiscal Year 2026-27 is $456 million, which is $160 million lower than estimates in November. The projected deficit for Fiscal Year 2028-29 has risen as well, from $5.15 billion in November to almost $6 billion. Spending is outpacing revenue, largely due to increased costs in education and health and human services (HHS). HHS spending is set to become the largest part of the state budget, driven mainly by long-term care costs.

In a Thursday press conference, MMB officials also spoke about how changing policies at the federal level — like tariffs, spending cuts, and layoffs of federal workers — are introducing uncertainty into the economic forecast.

Gov. Tim Walz, speaking on the new forecast, emphasized that his budget will focus on curbing spending growth “around the edges” without stopping or drastically cutting services. Key provisions in his budget proposal from January include a reduction in special education transportation funding, a cap on automatic year-over-year growth rates in Medicaid waivers, and an expansion of the sales tax base to services provided by investors, bankers and lawyers.

Leaders from both parties also spoke at the press conference. Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) leaders said that the state is in good economic shape, and that a worsening economic outlook is due to uncertainty around federal policies. Republican leaders placed the blame for the current state of Minnesota’s budget outlook on spending by the DFL trifecta during the past biennium.

House and Senate Leaders will use this updated forecast to develop budget targets for committees, which will give committee chairs an amount they have to spend as they begin developing their omnibus budget bills. Differences between the House and Senate budget bills will need to be worked out in a conference committee.

KEY LEGISLATIVE DATES

March 11, 2025 – House District 40B Special Election

March 29-31, 2025 – Eid Recess

April 1, 2025 – Legislature Resumes

April 4, 2025 – First and Second Committee Deadlines

April 11-21, 2025 – Passover/Easter Break

April 11, 2025 – Third Committee Deadline

May 19, 2025 – Last Day of the 2025 Minnesota Legislature (Adjournment)

THE IMPACT OF CITIZEN TESTIMONY

Testifying before a legislative committee is a powerful way to influence policy and ensure your voice is heard. However, the process can seem intimidating, especially if you’re new to it. So, Ewald’s Government Relations Team has created a video to walk you through the steps of preparing and delivering effective testimony.
Watch the Video Now
 

HELPFUL RESOURCES TO FOLLOW ACTION AT THE STATE CAPITOL

Follow these links to keep up with action at the State Capitol:

To find your legislators, visit Who Represents Me

For updates on activities at the House of Representatives,
visit the House Session Daily website.

For updates on activities at the Senate, visit Senate Media Services.

To follow committee hearings, visit the Combined Committee Schedule.

To watch House committee and floor sessions, visit the
House of Representatives YouTube Channel.

To watch Senate committee and floor sessions, visit the Senate YouTube Channel.
color photo of a person holding a lightbulb in front of a sunrise

Remaining Relevant amid Rapid Change

, , , 0

Everything Is Changing. Where Should You Focus?

By David Ewald

Today’s associations are feeling the effects of new work styles, changing technology, and policy shifts from the new administration. Staying relevant in this environment isn’t easy, but it is possible. Here are four areas where associations can focus their efforts to remain valuable to members and partners.

1. Adapting to New Ways of Working

Remote and hybrid work are common in many industries, while in others there is a recent “return to work” trend. Still, employees want flexibility, and they expect their associations to meet them where they are—whether online or in-person. This means offering more virtual events, online community forums, and on-demand resources. Younger professionals, in particular, want easy-to-use digital tools and frequent feedback. Associations that embrace these expectations can strengthen member loyalty and reach people who might not otherwise attend face-to-face meetings.

2. Keeping Up with Political Shifts

Government policies can change how associations operate. During the new administration, issues like trade, immigration and international relations are getting a lot of attention. Associations must keep a close eye on any legal or regulatory updates that affect their members. By staying active in advocacy, associations can help shape policies that support their industries or professions. This also means being ready to shift gears when new rules or changes pop up, so members don’t fall behind.

3. Using Technology and Data Wisely

Technology tools are everywhere, and associations should use them to gain insights and improve services. Data can reveal which member benefits are popular, where there’s room for growth, and how to tailor communication. Tools like AI-driven analytics help associations spot trends and give members the right resources at the right time. AI is here to stay, so take the time to learn more about what it can do to improve the experience of your members and the satisfaction of staff. Staff may be reluctant to adapt to the availability of AI tools, which is consistent with the rest of the workforce in the U.S. But these tools can help improve service and also help staff streamline what they do while improving it at the same time. The key is not to rely on technology alone, but to pair it with personal interaction. This balance helps members feel seen and supported.

4. Stay Focused on People

In the end, associations are about building connections among people who share common goals or interests. This could mean in-person networking, mentorship programs, and leadership development opportunities. Simple gestures — like quick follow-ups after events or personalized thank-you messages — go a long way toward making members feel valued. When associations focus on people, they create a sense of community that technology can’t replace on its own.

Summary

Associations that can adapt to new work models, track political trends, use technology effectively, and keep strong personal connections will stand out in today’s environment. By making these shifts and staying focused on member needs, associations can remain key players in their fields for years to come.

Load More

Let's Get Started!
Loading...