Dear Neighbors,
The Minnesota House and Senate convened for a special session of the legislature on Friday, June 12. The special session was prompted by Governor Dayton vetoing three bipartisan budget bills that had been sent to his desk after the regular session of the legislature had concluded.
The three budget bills we passed on Friday were the Agriculture and Environment omnibus budget bill (Senate File 5), the Jobs and Economic Development omnibus budget bill (House File 3), and the K-12 Education omnibus budget bill (House File 1).
Some bill highlights include:
Education
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Prioritized dollars for classroom learning including an average increase of $236 per student on the funding formula that local schools receive. This is a sizable increase, and should address many of the funding challenges faced by the five school districts (Osseo-Maple Grove, Wayzata, Anoka-Hennepin, Elk River, Buffalo) in our legislative district 34A.
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Expanded parental choice in education through increased funding for pre-K scholarships.
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Reduced state mandated testing to allow for more instructional time.
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Streamlined teacher licensure to help address our teacher shortage.
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Implemented concurrent enrollment options so students can get the PSEO credits without having to leave their high school community or take one high-stakes tests for college credit. This will help students save money on higher education in the long run.
Jobs and Energy
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Secured unemployment assistance for poultry workers impacted by avian flu and steelworkers impacted by layoffs on the Iron Range.
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Provided job training to help prepare Minnesotans for highly skilled, better-paying job openings.
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Reduced overall spending by $24 million.
Environment and Agriculture
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Eliminated an unelected development panel within the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency known as the “Citizens Board” that has powers in excess of any other advisory board.
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Secured funding for our state to better prevent and respond to the avian influenza outbreak that has devastated Minnesota's poultry flocks.
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Replaced the mandate that boat owners take a lengthy Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)?test and instead require boat owners to sign an affirmation they will abide by AIS laws. Additionally, AIS rules will be attached to boat registration licenses that must be renewed every three years.
While I was disappointed the governor vetoed our bipartisan budget bills in May and was frustrated with the moving goal posts as we negotiated the terms of the special session, I was ultimately pleased we were able to find agreement and finalize our legislative work. Now, relief is on the way for farmers affected by avian flu, communities damaged by flooding, and miners facing unemployment on the Iron Range. Additionally, 9,400 state employees will have job certainty.
I can also report that our budget, which has now fully been signed into law by Governor Dayton, will have the third lowest percent increase in general fund spending in over 50 years. Bending the cost curve of state government has been a priority for me and I’m proud we made progress on that front.
Speaker Daudt & I addressing the press after special session adjourned
Although we are not scheduled to be back in session until March of 2016, please don’t hesitate to contact me on issues of concern to you. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155
Have a wonderful week,
Joyce
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A