In This Issue:
Legislative Timelines
House and Senate leaders released a memo this week with agreed-to committee deadlines for the 2020 legislative session that begins on February 11.
The deadlines are as follows: March 13 (bills must be acted on favorably in their house of origin); March 20 (committees must act favorably on bills meeting the first deadline in the other house); and April 3 (committees must act favorably on appropriations and finance bills).
Other key dates will inform the legislative process. The February budget forecast will be released at the end of February and budget ‘targets’ for both bodies will be released in mid to late March. These targets will serve to structure any appropriations bills. There is no deadline for a capital investment bill, or tax bill. The Legislature will adjourn on May 18.
Metro Cities will provide a legislative preview prior to the beginning of the legislative session.
State Revenue Update
The state Office of MN Management and Budget (MMB) released its monthly revenue and economic update showing that general fund receipts for November and December 2019 were $155 million, or 4.2%, higher than forecast. MMB noted that income, corporate and other tax receipts were higher while net sales tax receipts were lower than anticipated.
The next complete budget forecast will be released in late February. Click here for the latest economic update.
EVENT: Regional Solicitation Workshops
The Metropolitan Council will host two workshop meetings (see below) to introduce prospective applicants to the 2020 Regional Solicitation for transportation projects. Approximately $180 million in federal transportation funds are expected to be available for allocation in 2024-2025.
The application period for the Regional Solicitation is expected to be open in February, with all applications required to be submitted no later than April 16, 2020. After projects are scored and ranked, the schedule calls for the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) to select projects for funding late in 2020. To learn more about the Regional Solicitation, click here, or attend the upcoming workshops detailed below.
Workshop Times and Locations
Tuesday, January 28, 2:30 - 4:00 pm
Metropolitan Council, Lower Level A
390 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN 55101
Friday, January 31, 9:30 - 11:00 am
Metro Cities, St. Croix Room
145 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55103
Application Categories
The majority of the federal funding to be awarded through the Regional Solicitation is for projects in 2024 and 2025. Projects will be selected for the following 11 application categories:
- Traffic Management Technologies (Roadway System Management)
- Spot Mobility and Safety (new category for 2020 Regional Solicitation)
- Strategic Capacity (Roadway Expansion)
- Roadway Reconstruction/Modernization
- Bridge Rehabilitation/Replacement
- Transit Expansion
- Transit Modernization
- Travel Demand Management (2022 and 2023 funds)
- Multiuse Trails and Bicycle Facilities
- Pedestrian Facilities
- Safe Routes to School
Questions about the Regional Solicitation can be directed to TAB Coordinator Elaine Koutsoukos at 651-602-1717 or [email protected].