Minnesota lawmakers gathering for a special session have until June 30th to pass a state budget and avoid a government shutdown.

Minnesota Farm Bureau associate director of public policy Josie Lonetti tells Brownfield this year’s session began with legislators believing there would be a budget deficit.

“And now as the state shakes out and sees some increased tax (revenues) roll in, there’s more funding for the state than folks thought. So that means not only is there an increase in those general funds dollars, Minnesota also received a significant amount of federal funds through the American Rescue Plan.”

She says there’s partisan division regarding how those dollars will be spent.

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