Key takeaways
- Minnesota state government spent $63.5 billion in fiscal 2024, the 18th most of any state.
- Statewide purchasing runs through the Office of State Procurement, and vendors register and find bids in SWIFT Supplier Portal.
- The fiscal year starts July 1; the governor's FY2028-29 budget proposal usually comes in January (4th Tuesday); a new governor has until mid-February.
- The 2027 legislative session convenes Jan. 12 and is scheduled to adjourn May 17.
- A new governor, Amy Klobuchar, takes office Jan. 4, 2027.
Minnesota government at a glance
| Fact | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| State spending, FY 2024 | $63.5 billion (18th of 50) |
| Fiscal year starts | July 1 |
| Next budget | FY2028-29 · proposal usually in January (4th Tuesday); a new governor has until mid-February |
| 2027 legislative session | Jan. 12 to May 17 (126 days) |
| Governor-elect | Amy Klobuchar, takes office Jan. 4, 2027 |
| Central procurement office | Office of State Procurement |
| Bid and vendor portal | SWIFT Supplier Portal |
| State CIO | Jon Eichten, Commissioner and Chief Information Officer |
| Local governments | 3,629 total, including 579 special districts and 330 school districts |
| Public power and co-op utilities | 119 public power utilities and 46 electric co-ops |
| State prison population | 8,725 (end of 2023) |
How Minnesota buys
- Central purchasing. The Office of State Procurement handles statewide contracts and purchasing rules for state agencies.
- Where bids are posted. SWIFT Supplier Portal is where vendors register and find state solicitations.
- Registering as a vendor. Our Minnesota vendor registration guide walks through the steps, fees and documents.
- Agencies and local buyers. Many agencies, universities, cities, counties and school districts buy on their own or through cooperative contracts; see our cooperative purchasing guide.
Budget and legislative calendar
- Fiscal year. Minnesota's fiscal year starts July 1. The next budget covers FY2028-29.
- Governor's proposal. Usually released in January (4th Tuesday); a new governor has until mid-February. Status as of Nov. 8, 2026: not yet released. Track it in our governor budget proposals tracker.
- 2027 session. Convenes Jan. 12 and is scheduled to adjourn May 17. See the 2027 legislative session calendar.
- New administration. Governor-elect Amy Klobuchar takes office Jan. 4, 2027. New administrations often bring new agency leaders and priorities; see new governors in 2027.
Technology and AI
- State CIO. Jon Eichten, Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, leads the Minnesota IT Services. See the full state CIO directory.
- AI policy. Our tracker counts no executive orders, no laws and 1 agency policy on government AI use, plus an AI office or council. See the state AI policy tracker.
- How IT buying works. See how state agencies buy technology.
Largest public buyers in Minnesota
The biggest Minnesota entities on our national rankings. Each one runs its own budget and, in most cases, its own purchasing.
| Buyer | Type | Size | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | City | 430,324 residents (2025) | 46 of 100 largest cities |
| St. Paul | City | 306,684 residents (2025) | 69 of 100 largest cities |
| Hennepin County | County | 1,284,784 residents (2025) | 35 of 100 largest counties |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Public university | 56,666 students (fall 2024) | 14 of 40 largest |
| Metro Transit | Transit agency | 44,977,100 trips (2023) | 24 of 50 largest |
| Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain | Airport | 17,488,261 passengers boarded (2025) | 17 of 100 busiest |
| Minneapolis Water | Water utility | 425,300 people served | 77 of 208 largest |
| Saint Paul Regional Water Services | Water utility | 365,136 people served | 91 of 208 largest |
| Minneapolis (MN) Police | Police department | 841 sworn officers (2016) | 49 of 50 largest |
| Hennepin Healthcare | Public hospital system | $1.5 billion budget (2024) | — |
Sources: KSG rankings of the largest cities, counties, school districts, public universities, transit agencies, airports, water utilities, public power utilities, police departments and other lists. Figures are from each list's source year.
Local government and utilities
- 3,629 local governments. That includes 579 special districts and 330 school districts. See special districts by state.
- Utilities. 119 public power utilities and 46 electric cooperatives serve 1,307,619 customers, 45% of the state. See Minnesota utilities.
- Budget cycles. Cities, counties and school districts set their own fiscal years; see city and county budget calendars.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities. We research Minnesota buyers, time outreach to state and local budget cycles and get you in front of the people who own the problem you solve. See how our state and local sales development works.
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