December 2008
The Minnesota Budget and Unallotment Powers
As the saga of hard economic times continues to unfold in the daily headlines, officials at all levels of government have begun the task of evaluating
spending and services in anticipation of major budget cuts. At the state level, the budget situation is summed up in the recently-released
November Forecast issued by Minnesota Management & Budget (formerly the Department of Finance): "$426 Million Deficit in FY 2008-09, $4.847 Billion Shortfall Expected for FY 2010-11".
One of the tools that has already been used to tackle the current FY 2008-09 deficit is unallotment.
Minnesota Statutes 16A.152 allows the executive branch to balance the budget
by depleting the budget reserve and by cutting the current budget through unallotment of unspent appropriations.
The unallotment law allows these actions to be taken by the commissioner of Minnesota Management & Budget with the approval of the governor,
and after consulting with the Legislative Advisory Commission. Commissioner Tom Hanson's recent
unallotment actions are outlined in letters to the Legislature.
Minnesota’s unallotment law originally passed in 1939. (Laws of Minnesota 1939, Chapter 431, Article 2, Section 16).
In the past 30 years, the unallotment procedure has been used by three governors: Al Quie in 1980, Rudy Perpich in 1986,
and Tim Pawlenty in 2003. An article in the May 2, 2008 issue of Session Weekly, "A Little-Used Tool in the Toolbox",
provides a brief overview and history of the unallotment law. A more detailed overview can be found in the Minnesota House Research publication,
Unallotment: Executive Branch Power to Reduce Spending to Avoid a Deficit.
For additional information on the unallotment process or the state budget process in general, email
the Legislative Reference Library or call us at 651-296-8338.
New & Notable Books and Reports
Many of the items listed below are available electronically. If so, we have provided a
link to the document. However, some of the documents may be very long. You can request to
borrow our print copy of any of the items by selecting the check-box and clicking on the
"Request Items" button.
Annual Summary Report for the Agricultural Chemical Response and Reimbursement Account (ACRRA). Minn. Dept. of Agriculture. December 1, 2008. TD427.A35 R48 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0976.
Mandated by: 1999 Minn. Laws Chap. 86 Art. 3 Sec. 6 (Minn. Stat. 18E.06)http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/financing/disaster/acrra-annualreport.pdf
Dairy Development and Profitability Enhancement Workplan. Minn. Dept. of Agriculture. 2008. HD9275.U63 M625 2009. Minn. Publication 08-0829.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 45 Art. 1 Sec. 3 Subd. 5http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080829.pdf
Minnesota Agricultural Statistics. Minn. Dept. of Agriculture; United States Dept of Agriculture. Ref HD1775.M6 M63x 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0865.
This reference book is available for use in the Library or it may be checked out for a short period of time.
Minnesota Board of Animal Health Annual Report. Minn. Board of Animal Health. 2008. SF624.M6 M54ax 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0955.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 35.03http://www.bah.state.mn.us/bah/annual_report/2007-2008.pdf
Minnesota State Arts Board Annual Report. Minn. State Arts Board. 2008. NX24.M6 M58a 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0925.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 129D.02 Subd. 5http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080925.pdf
Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council Final Report. Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council. September 22, 2008. NX742.M6 P73 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0878.
Department of Labor and Industry Construction Codes and Licensing Division: Legislative Report (Legislative Report on the Surcharge Fee). Minn. Dept. of Administration. November 30, 2008. KFM5859.A1 D473 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0974.
Mandated by: 2001 Minn. Laws 1st Spl. Sess. Chap. 10 Art. 2 Sec. 31 (Minn. Stat. 326B.148 (formerly 16B.70 Subd. 3))http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080974.pdf
Business Assistance Report. Minn. Dept. of Employment and Economic Development. December 2008. HC107.M63 E441 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0984.
Mandated by: 1999 Minn. Laws Chap. 243 Art. 12 Sec. 2 (Minn. Stat. 116J.994 Subd. 9)http://www.deed.state.mn.us/Community/subsidies/Reports.htm
Mandated by: 2000 Minn. Laws Chap. 482 Sec. 11 Subd. 10 (Minn. Stat. 116J.994 Subd. 10)http://www.deed.state.mn.us/Community/subsidies/Reports.htm
Mandated by: 1995 Minn. Laws Chap. 224 Sec. 58 (Minn. Stat. 116J.994)http://www.deed.state.mn.us/Community/subsidies/Reports.htm
Minnesota Child Support Performance Report. Minn. Dept. of Human Services. September 2008. HV742.M6 M563 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0935.
Census of State and Federal Correctional Facilities, 2005. U.S. Dept. of Justice. October 2008. Ref HV8311 .C47 2005.
This reference book is available for use in the Library or it may be checked out for a short period of time.
Final Report on the Serious Offender Accountability Restoration (SOAR) Project. Minn. Dept. of Corrections. October 2006. HV6049 .F56 2006. Minn. Publication 08-0912.
Jails in Indian Country. Bureau of Justice Statistics. November 2008. HV8746.U5 J35 2007.
Megan's Law in Minnesota: The Impact of Community Notification on Sex Offender Recidivism. Minn. Dept. of Corrections. May 2008. HV6592 .M44 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0916.
Minn. Stat. 626A.17 Subd. 3 Report to Legislature by State Court Administrator Regarding Wiretapping. Minn. State Supreme Court. November 14, 2008. KFM5980.5.W5 M56 2006/2007. Minn. Publication 08-0975.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 626A.17 Subd. 3http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080975.pdf
Minnesota Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (JJAC) Annual Report. Minn. Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee. October 2008. HV9105.M6 J775 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0923.
Region Five Development Commission Annual Report. Region Five Development Commission. 2008. HT393 .M62 R42x 2007/2008. Minn. Publication 08-0874.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 462.393 Subd. 1http://regionfive.org/publication_library/2008 Annual Report.pdf
Financial Aid Incentives for Workforce Development. Minn. Office of Higher Education. October 2008. LB2342.15 .F56 2008a. Minn. Publication 08-0867.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 144 Art. 1 Sec. 9 Subd. 1http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/pdf/IncentivesWorkforceDev.pdf
Minnesota State Grant Projections Report. Minn. Office of Higher Education. November 1, 2008. LB2342.15.M6 P78 2008a. Minn. Publication 08-0868.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 144 Art. 2 Sec. 20 (Minn. Stat. 136A.121 Subd. 19)http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/pdf/StateGrantProj11-1-08.pdf
Student-Staff Directory (University of Minnesota). University of Minnesota. 2008. Ref LD3330 .A33 2008/2009.
This reference book is available for use in the Library or it may be checked out for a short period of time.
Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs. Minn. Dept. of Education. May 2008. LB2353.62 .A38 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0870.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 120B.13 Subd. 4http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/groups/Communications/documents/Report/035408.pdf
Annual Report on Obsolete, Unnecessary, or Duplicative Rules. Minn. Dept. of Education. December 2008. JK6149.R8 M56b 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0972.
Mandated by: 1995 Minn. Laws Chap. 233 Art. 2 Sec. 7 Subd. 5 (Minn. Stat. 14.05 Subd. 5)http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/groups/Communications/documents/Report/035770.pdf
Failed Promises: Assessing Charter Schools in the Twin Cities. Institute on Race and Poverty. November 2008. LB2806.36 .F35 2008.
Raschke Jr., Kenneth E. Attorney General Opinion on the Canvass of Rejected Absentee Ballots. Minn. Office of the Attorney General. November 17, 2008. JF1033 .R37 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0924.
Rock-Tenn Renewable Energy Study. St. Paul Port Authority. September 29, 2008. TS1116 .R63 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0857.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 57 Art. 2 Sec. 3http://www.rtadvisory.org//uploaded/files/Final%20Report.pdf
Annual Invasive Species Legislative Report. Minn. Dept. of Agriculture. 2007. QH353 .M562 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0900.
Mandated by: 2003 Minn. Laws Chap. 128 Art. 4 Sec. 11 Subd. 5 (Minn. Stat. 18G.12)http://www.mda.state.mn.us/news/publications/news/legrpt-invasivespecies-2007.pdf
Minnesota Closed Landfill Program Annual Report. Minn. Pollution Control Agency. 2008. TD788.4.M6 M542 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0978.
Mandated by: 1994 Minn. Laws Chap. 169 Art. 1 Sec. 7 Subd. 10 (Minn. Stat. 115B.412 Subd. 10)http://www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/lrc-clf-3sy08.pdf
Minnesota Snowmobile Safety Laws, Rules and Regulations. Minn. Dept. of Natural Resources. 2008. KFM5697.75 .S64 M56 2008/2009. Minn. Publication 08-0873.
State Resource Recovery Program Recommendations Report. Minn. Office of Environmental Assistance. 2008. TD794.5 .S73 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0858.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 115A.15 Subd. 5(b)http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/publications/lrp-rrr-1sy08.pdf
Stinchfield, Randy et al. Evaluation of State-Supported Pathological Gambling Treatment in Minnesota. Minn. Dept. of Human Services; University of Minnesota. May 31, 2008. RC569.5 .G35 S754 2008.
Dyson, Deborah A. Minnesota Open Meeting Law (Revised). House Research. November 2008. KFM5827.8.P8 D97 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0902.
Annual Report on Obsolete, Unnecessary and Duplicative Rules. Minn. Dept. of Public Safety. December 1, 2008. KFM5840 .O27 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0983.
Mandated by: 1995 Minn. Laws Chap. 233 Art. 2 Sec. 7 Subd. 5 (Minn. Stat. 14.05 Subd. 5)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080983.pdf
Annual Report on Obsolete, Unnecessary or Duplicative Rules. Minn. Dept. of Employment and Economic Development. November 19, 2008. JK6149.R8 M576 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0936.
Mandated by: 1995 Minn. Laws Chap. 233 Art. 2 Sec. 7 Subd. 5 (Minn. Stat. 14.05 Subd. 5)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080936.pdf
Annual Report on Obsolete, Unnecessary, or Duplicative Rules. Minn. Dept. of Revenue. November 24, 2008. JK6149 .R8 A562 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0966.
Mandated by: 1995 Minn. Laws Chap. 233 Art. 2 Sec. 7 Subd. 5 (Minn. Stat. 14.05 Subd. 5)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080966.pdf
Biennial Report of Licensing Board. Minn. Board of Private Detective and Protective Agent Services. 2008. HV8096.M6 M57 2006/2008. Minn. Publication 08-0939.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 214.07 Subd. 1http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080939.pdf
Debt Capacity Forecast. Minn. Management and Budget. December 4, 2008. HJ8365 .D43 2008 Nov.. Minn. Publication 08-0981.
Mandated by: 1998 Minn. Laws Chap. 404 Sec. 28 (Minn. Stat. 16A.105)http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/doc/bonds/debt-cap/forecast-nov-8.pdf
November Economic Forecast. Minn. Management and Budget. November 2008. HJ11.M65ax 2008 Nov.. Minn. Publication 08-0992.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 16A.103 Subd. 1http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/doc/fu/08/complete-nov08.pdf
America's Health Rankings: A Call to Action for People and Their Communities. United Health Foundation. 2008. Ref RA407.3 .N86 2008.
This reference book is available for use in the Library or it may be checked out for a short period of time.
Cancer in Minnesota 1988 - 2004. Minn. Dept. of Health. September 2008. RC277.M6 C362 1988/2004. Minn. Publication 08-0866.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 144.672 Subd. 2http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/cdee/mcss/documents/092208mcssreport.pdf
Chun, Randall. General Assistance Medical Care (Revised). House Research. October 2008. HV687.5.U6 C58 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0805.
Minnesota Medical Assistance (MA, Title XIX) Nursing Facility Recipient Rates Statewide and by County. Minn. Dept. of Human Services. RA997.5.M6 M575 1980/2004. Minn. Publication 08-0911.
Minnesota Medical Assistance (Title XIX): ICF-MR Recipient Rates by County. Minn. Dept. of Human Services. HV3006.M6 M56 1980/2001. Minn. Publication 08-0910.
Minnesota State Employees Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) Biennial Report. Minn. Management and Budget. 2008. JK6160.H4 M56 2005/2006. Minn. Publication 08-0880.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 43A.31 Subd. 2http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080880.pdf
American Housing Survey. . September 2008. Ref HD7293.A1 C862 2007.
This reference book is available for use in the Library or it may be checked out for a short period of time.
Gehring, Matt. Attorney Fee Awards in Minnesota Statutes (Updated). House Research. November 2008. KFM5477.5.F4 G44 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0903.
Report of the Revisor of Statutes: Concerning Certain Opinions of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Revisor of Statutes. November 2008. KFM5427.A3 2006/2008. Minn. Publication 08-0862.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 3C.04 Subd. 3https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/revisor/pubs/2008CourtOpinions.pdf
Pirius, Rebecca. The Minnesota Judiciary: A Guide for Legislators. House Research. October 2008. KFM5910 .A25 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0861.
Joint Legislative Services Directory. Joint Departments and Commissions of the Minnesota Legislature. November 2008. JK6171 .J65 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0863.
A Report on the Founding of the Legislative Reference Library and A Proposed Work Program and Budget for 1969-1970. . 1969?. Library Archives KFM5821.5.L35 M574 1969. Minn. Publication 08-0897.
Documents Related to the Formation of the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. . 1968-1969. Library Archives KFM5821.5 .L35 M576 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0825.
Report on Land Purchases and Sales Related to the Land Acquisition Account. Minn. Dept. of Natural Resources. October 2, 2008. HD243.M6 L363 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0792.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 94.165http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080792.pdf
Minnesota County Human Service Cost Report. Minn. Dept. of Human Services. 2008. HV98.M6 M58 2007. Minn. Publication 08-0953.
Biennial Report of the Council on Black Minnesotans. Council on Black Minnesotans. E185.93.M55 C67 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0961.
Mandated by: 1980 Minn. Laws Chap. 614 Sec. 187 Subd. 7 (Minn. Stat. 3.9225 Subd. 7)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080961.pdf
Duluth Teachers' Retirement Fund Actuarial Valuation and Review. Duluth Teachers' Retirement Fund. July 1, 2008. LB2842.2. D84ab 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0967.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 356.215 Subd. 3http://www.dtrfa.org/Financial Information/2008 Segal Valuation Report (final).pdf
St. Paul Teachers' Retirement Fund Association Actuarial Valuation and Review. St. Paul Teachers' Retirement Fund. 2008. LB2842.2 .S34ax 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0876.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 356.215 Subd. 3http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080876.pdf
Report on Lease Payments. Minn. Amateur Sports Commission. January 15, 2008. GV430.M6 M567 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0859.
Mandated by: 2005 Minn. Laws Chap. 156 Art. 2 Sec. 33 (Minn. Stat. 240A.03 Subd. 16)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080859.pdf
Chemical Dependency Program Evaluation. Minn. Dept. of Corrections. March 2008. HV8836.5 .C44 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0917.
Substance Abuse Treatment: The Minnesota Update. Minn. Dept. of Human Services. January 2008. HV4999.3.M6 S835 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0901.
Minnesota Mining Tax Guide. Minn. Dept. of Revenue. October 2008. HJ4169 .M64 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0982.
Burress, Matt. Low-Power Vehicles (Updated). House Research. October 2008. KFM5697.75.L69 B87 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0882.
Report of Expenditures from the Trunk Highway Fund. Minn. Dept. of Transportation. November 13, 2008. HE28.M6 R47 2006/2007. Minn. Publication 08-0875.
Mandated by: 2003 Minn. Laws 1st Spl. Sess. Chap. 19 Art. 2 Sec. 8 Subd. 2 (Minn. Stat. 161.08 Subd. 2)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080875.pdf
Report on Special Revenue Fund Agreements. Minn. Dept. of Transportation. HE213 .M6 R47 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0962.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 174.02 Subd. 6(b)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080962.pdf
State Transportation Improvement Program. Minn. Dept. of Transportation. September 2008. HE213.M6 S73a 2009/2012. Minn. Publication 08-0791.
Annual Report: Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Minn. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. 2008. UB358.M6 A32 2007. Minn. Publication 08-0938.
Mandated by: Minn. Stat. 196.06http://www.mdva.state.mn.us/PDFs/2007AnnualReport.pdf
House of Representatives Veterans Report. Legislative Coordinating Commission. July 21, 2008. UB358.M6 M552 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0803.
Mandated by: 2008 Minn. Laws Chap. 297 Art. 2 Sec. 27(c)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080803.pdf
Minnesota Senate Veterans' Report. Legislative Coordinating Commission. June 30, 2008. UB358.M6 M55 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0826.
Mandated by: 2008 Minn. Laws Chap. 297 Art. 2 Sec. 27(c)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080826.pdf
Reporting of LCC Veteran Employees. Legislative Coordinating Commission. September 26, 2008. UB358.M6 M554 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0798.
Mandated by: 2008 Minn. Laws Chap. 297 Art. 2 Sec. 27(c)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080798.pdf
Reporting of Minnesota Judicial Branch Veteran Judges and Employees. State Court Administrator. October 30, 2008. UB358.M6 M556 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0850.
Mandated by: 2008 Minn. Laws Chap. 297 Art. 2 Sec. 27(b)http://archive.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2008/mandated/080850.pdf
Game and Fish Fund Hunting and Fishing Revenue/Expenditure Allocations. Minn. Dept. of Natural Resources. November 15, 2008. SK411 .G365 2008. Minn. Publication 08-0879.
Mandated by: 2007 Minn. Laws Chap. 57 Art. 1 Sec. 4http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/aboutdnr/gamefishoversight/2008_game_fish_fund.pdf
New Periodicals
Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) County Specific Report. Monthly
Provides monthly Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and Diversionary Work Program (DWP) data for counties.
Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) Management Indicators Report. Quarterly
Provides quarterly data on state-mandated performance measures by county and region.