Natural Resources Budget

As you may have heard, the Senate and the House passed a new Natural Resources budget bill last night that includes FY18/19 funding for Explore Minnesota.

While the final compromise does not include all of the Governor’s recommendations, it does contain some positive elements for us.

Here are the highlights for Explore Minnesota:

• General fund base level funding at $14.2 million – same levels as previous biennium.

• Events funding of $900,000 added to the base and available until June 30, 2021.

• One-time new funding for EMT website upgrades of $500,000 available until June 30, 2019.

• General fund operating adjustment of $36,000 in FY18 and $73,000 in FY19 added to the base.

• $100,000 each year for a grant to the Northern Lights Music Festival, included in our base.

The Omnibus Environment and Natural Resources bill passed the Senate by a vote of 42-25, and the House by a vote of 83-51.

The bill now moves on to the Governor’s Office for his consideration and possible signing.