Posts by etcliff
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session A Housing bill full of compromise was passed by the House and Senate and sent off to the Governor on May 13. The Housing Conference Committee, having only met twice to work out the two bills, created a bill that makes key investments in…
Read MoreAs the 2026 legislative session comes to a close, key bills the GMNP is watching
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session As the Legislature enters into its final two weeks of session, the GMNP is still actively following numerous bills related to GMNP priorities on housing, workforce devlopment, small business supports, and more. See the full list of bills we are tracking below. S.F. 3695…
Read MoreSenate unveils omnibus tax bill with provision for property taxes
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session Earlier this week, the Senate Taxes Committee released its omnibus tax bill (S.F. 5052), which passed out of committee on April 30. Inlcuded in the bill is a provision relating to property taxes. This provision is a one-time appropriation of $100.8 million (+12%) for…
Read MoreRFP for early childhood facilities now open through DCYF
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), through its Child Care Services Division, is seeking proposals from qualified responders to predesign, design, construct or renovate facilities for early childhood learning programs under the Early Childhood Facilities Grant Program. The Department expects the term…
Read MoreThe State of Rural 2026 report published
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session The Center for Rural Policy and Development recently released their annual report on the state of various economic and demographic indicators in rural Minnesota. The report covers population growth, migration, and demographic shifts, economic and workforce trends, and compares current data to past trends…
Read MoreSenate Committee hears bill with funding & policy changes for Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grant program
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session On March 23, the Senate Housing and Homeless Committee heard S.F. 4571, authored by Sen. Grant Hauschild. This bill provides $15 million in General Obligation bonds to the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grant program and also makes a policy change to the program to allow these funds…
Read MoreGMNP at the Legislature: Key bills the GMNP is watching
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session Recent bills that are key to the GMNP’s 2026 legislative priorities include: S.F. 3664 (Champion) – Agency policy bill. S.F. 3839 (Port) – Housing infrastructure bond issue and appropriation. H.F. 3600 (Perryman) – Competitive selection processes modified for certain housing development programs. S.F. 4123 / H.F. 3895 (Port / Igo) – Zoning authority of local governments over certain housing types…
Read MoreDEED to host webinar on child care infrastructure
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session As part of Business of Child Care’s ongoing virtual series highlighting opportunities of the moment, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will be hosting a focused conversation on child care as economic development infrastructure. The session will be hosted by Jeff Andrews, President…
Read MoreGMNP announces 2026 policy priorities
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session The GMNP 2026 legislative platform renews the Partnership’s focus on ensuring Greater Minnesota communities and businesses have the resources they need to thrive. In 2026, the GMNP will work to secure funding for critical housing, workforce development, child care, and broadband programs, and push…
Read MoreMN Housing awards $7.5M to Greater MN housing infrastructure projects
Legislature passes housing package days before the end of the session Minnesota Housing has awarded nearly $7.5 million to 21 infrastructure projects that will support housing development across Greater Minnesota. Grants provide cities and Tribal Nations with funding for public infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, necessary to support housing development. The funds are part of the…
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