Dear Neighbors,
I hope that this e-update finds you well and you are enjoying the beautiful weather we are experiencing. I wanted to provide you with an update of activity at our State Capitol. Things are moving quickly now at the legislature, with only a few weeks left before the constitutionally mandated May 23 adjournment. Last week the House passed:
- HF 1003: Conference Committee Report to allow local governments to donate used equipment to non-profit organizations
- HF 1586: Bad faith assertions of patent infringements (commonly known as “patent trolls”) prohibited
- SF 2850: Minnesota State Capitol grand reopening fund-raising authorized.
- HF 1089: Allowing for the sale of fireworks in Minnesota that are not currently allowed (After hearing testimony from concerned firefighters and others describing severe safety concerns on this expansion, I voted against this bill)
- HF 2540: Authorizing and regulating fantasy sports in Minnesota.
To learn more about the activities of the Legislature last week, please refer to our on-line Session Update. You can subscribe to receive these daily and weekly updates by clicking here.
It was wonderful to visit with this great family, here to lobby on behalf of Alzehimer’s patients, many of whom cannot lobby on behalf of themselves!
BUDGET TARGETS
Last week the House Majority released budget targets for all House committees this session. Budget targets are the total funding limits for each finance committee. You can find the House Majority's Budget Targets here.
OMNIBUS EDUCATION BILL
There are a number of areas of importance to Minnesotans, and I continue to follow them closely and work to ensure that the laws we pass assist in maintaining and extending the quality of life Minnesota is known for to all. As you know, I serve on the E-12 Education Finance and Policy Committees. One of the Legislature's duties, as stated in our state's constitution, is to ensure our students get a quality education. I was very disappointed that E-12 Education was given a zero budget target by the House Majority.
However, by accelerating school districts' ability to repay certain debts owed to the state, we were able to find approximately $50 million to devote to E-12 education. Although grateful some funding was found for education, I worry about the wisdom of setting this policy precedent, rather than utilizing some of the $900 million surplus we are projected to have this year.
The final bill which passed out of the Education Finance Committee includes provisions to fund various pilot projects to eliminate the achievement gap (I was pleased my pilot to assist struggling readers was included), and to address our current teacher shortage by providing programs and incentives to increase our teacher workforce, particularly encouraging persons of color to pursue education degrees. The bill also increases local school boards' authority to be flexible in its use of state funds to meet the needs of their students, among other provisions. This amended bill will next be heard in the Taxes and Ways and Means Committees as it makes it way to the House floor for a vote. You can find the amended bill here.
I was thrilled Alyssa recently job-shadowed me. She is a remarkable, bright young woman who will attend the University of Minnesota.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
As I have mentioned to you through this session, it remains to be seen if the House Majority, the Senate and the Governor will be able to come to a compromise to pass comprehensive transportation and tax bills. Our citizens sent us here to address all the functions of government, and deserve no less. For my part, I will continue to advocate for a robust transportation bill that will address the deficiencies in both infrastructure and capacity we face in our system of roads and bridges, as well as providing funding for SouthWest Light Rail and our valued mass transit system. Passing a tax bill which provides meaningful relief for our families and small and medium sized Minnesota businesses is another priority I will work toward.
As always, it is my honor to serve you at our State Capitol. Please feel free to contact me at any time.
Best Regards,
Representative Yvonne Selcer
District 48A