Dear Neighbors,
The Legislature has one month left before we are constitutionally mandated to adjourn for the year, and significant work remains ahead of us. Next week, we will begin considering supplemental budget bills on the House Floor. The first of three will be on Monday when we hear the combined E-12 Education and Higher Education bill. Later in the week we will hear a the Jobs, Environment, and Agriculture bill, as well as a bill containing Public Safety, Health and Human Services, and State Government provisions.
I wish I could talk about all the great things that these bills do, but unfortunately they do very little for everyday Minnesotans. Despite a $900 million surplus, the House Majority gives education a target of $0 in new money, no student loan debt relief, no funding to fix the racial disparities in our state which desperately need to be addressed, and a high-speed broadband proposal that pales in comparison to the demonstrated need. When one student in Greater Minnesota doesn’t have internet access, this is a student who is left behind in an increasingly global economy. We can do a lot better than this so we can close these gaps.
While I know this isn’t a budget year, we’re in a position to make some smart, targeted investments to help citizens all over the state. Unfortunately, progress also remains elusive on a comprehensive transportation bill, agreement on a tax bill, and the House, Senate, and Governor are quite a ways apart on a capital investment bonding bill.
Simply put: I came to St. Paul to get the job done for our communities and for our state. I sincerely hope we don’t go down another path of last-minute deals cut in the dark of night, which exclude the public from the process, and usually result in outcomes benefitting corporate special interests. Time is ticking, and I’ll be working in these final weeks to get good things accomplished for Minnesotans.
Community News
Tomorrow, April 23, South Washington County Community Education hosts its annual garage sale to benefit Early Childhood Family Education. It will take place at Cottage Grove Middle School (9775 Indian Blvd.) and goes from 9:00 a.m. – noon. Admission is $1, or $5 for presale admission at 8 a.m. For more information, visit Community Education online here.
Also tomorrow is Stone Soup Thrift Store’s 8th Annual “Soup-er Bowl” at Park Grove Bowl. Bowling times are 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. For more information visit Stone Soup online here.
On Tuesday, April 26, the American Legion Post 98 Women’s Auxiliary is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive fromnoon to 6:00 p.m. at the Legion Hall (328 Broadway Ave., St. Paul Park. Donors must be 17 years or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. Bring a photo ID. You can call 1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment.
The RAH (Respect All Humans) Club at Cottage Grove Middle School is accepting donations of brand new, empty plastic water bottles for students in grades K-8 at a school in Flint, Michigan. The bottles should be BPA free, 24 oz. or smaller, and be empty of any liquid. Donations will be accepted through May 31 at a drop box near the main entrance of Cottage Grove Middle School (9775 Indian Blvd.).
I hope you will continue staying in touch with your comments and questions as we head into these final weeks. Feel free to call or email me anytime; I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Dan Schoen
State Representative