Advancing Criminal Justice and Public Safety / Expanding Affordable Housing

The legislature is passing budget bills, with lengthy floor sessions occurring in both chambers.  After a lengthy debate Friday, April 14, and on a party-line vote, the Senate passed the Judiciary and Public Safety funding package.  Senator Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, chair of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to outline several of the initiatives funded by the omnibus budget package.

One billion dollars of Minnesota's $17.5 billion budget surplus has been earmarked for housing. Senator Lindsey Port, DFL-Apple Valley, chair of the Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee, has called it an historic investment. She joins Shannon to highlight some of the initiatives in the omnibus budget bill.

Also in the program, highlights from a "Truth in Taxation" press conference by Senate Republicans to call attention to tax increases in various budget areas.  Plus, arguments for and against the Senate's higher education funding package, which passed with bipartisan support.