Walz pitches $226 million budget supplemental

(The Center Square) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz proposed a $226 million supplemental budget funding rural emergency medical services, water quality and child welfare.

Walz said the supplemental addresses “pressing” statewide needs.

“This year, we’re prioritizing the nuts and bolts of state government,” Walz said. “Our supplemental budget delivers on the basic things that good government should provide, including funding for emergency medical services, water quality, and critical infrastructure.”

The supplemental would add to the $72 billion two-year current budget.

The budget plans $16 million to support ambulance services statewide, which have faced severe funding and personnel shortfalls. The budget aims to provide grants to organizations that serve victims of crime, in addition to funding services to prevent recidivism and overdoses for people released from prisons and jails.

- Advertisement -

The budget includes an additional 2,200 voluntary pre-K seats to prepare children for success and enhance their pre-reading, pre-math, language, and social skills.

The 2024 supplemental budget would provide funding for in-home water treatment, well replacement, and other services for contaminated wells. The supplemental budget also acts as a state match for federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant that Minnesota is applying for in a competitive process.

The budget includes a $989 million infrastructure plan for drinking water, transportation, housing, and critical state infrastructure.

Sen. Andrew Lang, R-Olivia, said the proposed $16 million for EMS is a “laughable” amount.

“This summer we heard how rural communities are struggling to find and provide the care they need for emergencies,” Lang said in a statement. “This is not a luxury, in many cases it’s life or death. Suggesting $16 million in enough to triage the situation is offensive. The cost of an ambulance is about $400,000, and if distributed equally, $16 million is about $40,000 per primary service area.

Lang said that Walz left $3.5 billion in the state surplus.

- Advertisement -

“With $3.5 billion left on the bottom line, I’m stunned to learn the Governor wants to pinch pennies before funding emergency medical services for greater Minnesota,” Lang continued. “This is a laughable amount and no one should be proud of this proposal.”

The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy welcomed the proposed $4 million to remediate nitrate pollution of drinking water in Southeast Minnesota.

“Thank you to @GovTimWalz & @LtGovFlanagan for including over $4 million in your supplemental budget to kick off Minnesota’s response to the nitrate pollution of drinking water in SE Minnesota,” the group posted on social media. “MN is leading among midwestern states in our response to pollution of private wells.”

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Sean Duffy takes helm of $110 billion U.S. Department of Transportation

(The Center Square) – Sean Duffy, a former U.S....

Sen. Murray says federal funding freeze is hurting critical projects in WA

(The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.,...

Educators urge patience with new funding outcomes

(The Center Square) - Educators and families say the...

East Palestine, Norfolk Southern reach $22M settlement

(The Center Square) – Nearly two years after a...

North Carolina proposal scraps DMV for new authority

(The Center Square) – Renaming and redirecting chain of...

Greenwood mayor addresses water quality concerns to Caddo Parish Commission

(The Center Square) — The Caddo Parish Commission, at...

Plane crash: Helicopter key tracking system was turned off at time of collision

(The Center Square) – More information has emerged in...

More like this
Related

Sean Duffy takes helm of $110 billion U.S. Department of Transportation

(The Center Square) – Sean Duffy, a former U.S....

Sen. Murray says federal funding freeze is hurting critical projects in WA

(The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.,...

Educators urge patience with new funding outcomes

(The Center Square) - Educators and families say the...

East Palestine, Norfolk Southern reach $22M settlement

(The Center Square) – Nearly two years after a...