Time to lay the groundwork for 2016
The 2015 Minnesota Legislature adjourned on May 18 after a fast and furious conclusion. With Governor Mark Dayton's veto of the E-12 Education Finance bill, Environment and Natural Resources Finance bill, and Jobs and Economic Development Finance bill, a special session will be necessary by June 30 in order to continue state funding in those areas.
Although the regular session is over, summer is the time to start laying the groundwork for your legislative agenda in 2016. Even-year sessions traditionally focus on bonding bills but 2016 may also provide an opportunity to pass supplemental budget and policy provisions. Amid continuing renovations at the Capitol, legislators will consider hundreds of proposals to fund capital projects across the state.
The next several months are the ideal time to develop potential legislation; forge relationships that will yield legislative champions; build public awareness for your projects (if appropriate); meet with key legislators; and build coalitions with businesses, organizations, and other supporters.
To learn how Goff Public can help you develop a creative, effective plan that will accomplish your legislative goals, contact our director of government relations, Elizabeth Emerson.
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