Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Suicide bill advances, Budget forecast released

Yesterday at the Capitol

Yesterday on the Senate floor, members discussed SF 496, authored by Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona. The bill modifies the state’s suicide prevention plan to include the Chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the President of the University of Minnesota to the agencies required to collaborate on the state's suicide prevention plan. The bill was granted final passage. The House companion was last heard in the Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee in February.

Today at the Capitol

Minnesota Public Radio reports this morning that Minnesota's state budget deficit is projected to shrink to $4.57 billion from the Nov. forecast of $4.8 billion over the next biennium due to the federal stimulus money. Without the federal stimulus money, the deficit was projected to grow to $6.4 billion.

Minnesota Management and Budget will hold a press conference at 9:45 this morning to release the budget forecast. At 12:00 p.m. DFL leaders will hold a press conference with their reaction to the forecast. Following, GOP leaders will hold a press conference with their reaction. All of the press conferences will be streamed live here.

At the Capitol:
Legislative schedules are available for the House and Senate.

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