The Minnesota Legislature’s debate on a new state budget takes a big turn this week with the release of an updated financial forecast.
A projected $1.3 billion budget deficit that lawmakers have been calibrating expectations around could shrink or vanish entirely before the Legislature takes a single action.
Unlike typical years when there are only small changes between an economic forecast produced in the fall and the one released in February, there could be a wide swing when a new forecast is released on Friday.
Since the deficit estimate was made in December, Congress approved another massive stimulus bill, some coronavirus restrictions have loosened and state tax revenues have perked up. More on the forecast from Brian Bakst
Mark Zdechlik checked in with Minnesotans around the state and found divergent views on a plan by President Joe Biden to give the lump sum to everyone who earns less than $75,000 a year — less than $150,000 for couples.
In Washington: Garland to focus on civil rights, political independence Merrick Garland, President Joe Biden's nominee for attorney general, will appear for his confirmation hearing vowing to prioritize civil rights, combat extremist attacks and ensure the Justice Department remains politically independent.
Garland, a federal appeals court judge who was snubbed by Republicans for a seat on the Supreme Court in 2016, will appear Monday before the Senate Judiciary Committee and is widely expected to sail through his confirmation process with bipartisan support. [Read More from AP]
