Hello neighbors,
Last week was busy as we are now in daily session hearing committee omnibus bills and these hearings continue this week as well. If you would like to look ahead and see what bills are being heard, click here to access the House & Senate daily calendars.
Here are updates from the past week:
Native American Women in the Legislature
Women make up about 25 percent of state legislatures and I am proud to be a member of this incredible group of legislators. But a little more than 40 percent of all American Indian and Alaska Native legislators are female. Click here to see the breakdown. There is still a long way to go to reach parity and fortunately, for the first time, Minnesota has its own Native Caucus. Read this recent article from the Minnesota Post headlined, “Something New for the Minnesota Legislature: A caucus of First Minnesotans.” Rep. Susan Allen, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, was the first to be elected in a special election in 2012. Prior to her election only nine legislators in state history who self-identified as American Indian served in the Legislature — all men — and most of them were elected back when Minnesota was still considered a territory.
House Omnibus Tax Bill
The Omnibus Tax bill passed with a GOP majority, 80-52. The bill provides a $161.7 million estate tax cut to wealthy Minnesota heirs. The bill also includes property tax cuts for corporations and businesses, leaving out homeowners and renters through the Working Family Tax Credit.
While it’s important to have a fair tax system in Minnesota, now is the time to continue to invest in Minnesota by fully funding Governor Dayton’s proposal to expand voluntary Pre-K access from 3,300 students to 16,200 students. We have the opportunity to increase the wages of our home care workers and fully fund our schools and invest in education for all Minnesota kids. These are the folks who we ought to be focusing our tax breaks on to build stronger communities and a better Minnesota.
For more information or to watch the session, click here.
House Omnibus Environment Bill
With a Republican majority, the Omnibus Environment bill was passed in the House, 80-53. This bill cuts the environment budget by $90 million from current spending, severely affecting current projects that protect Minnesota’s environmental protections. It also shifts over $14 million from dedicated funds that protect our air, water, and land.
For more information or to watch the session, click here.
Rep. Bernardy, Rep. Hansen and me previewing the Environmental bill.
House Omnibus Transportation Bill
The House passed the Omnibus Transportation bill with Representatives voting 76-54. The bill provides no long-term solution to addressing the investment needed for our roads and bridges, and creates barriers to fully funding light rail and bus lines. This bill, combined with the Tax bill, will result in a 40% bus service cut and an increase in overall bus fares. Consequently, the bill pits our Metro against Greater Minnesota, failing to take a “One Minnesota” approach to investing in transportation statewide. Adequate transportation, attention to Minnesota’s roads, bridges, and infrastructure was on the top of everyone’s priority list but this bill falls very short of that.
For more information or to watch the session, click here.
House Omnibus Education Bill
Described as appalling by Governor Dayton, the Omnibus Education bill, passed by a GOP majority, 75-54. As amended, HF890, would increase the General Education Basic Formula funding by only 1.25 percent each year over the 2018-19 biennium as well as create an office of early education and targeted compensatory revenue. This bill eliminates the voluntary pre-K program and underfunds our most needy students, those who receive free or reduced-price meals. It would also sever non-public pupil, compensatory and transportation aid from the funding increase and proposes closing the Perpich Center for Arts Education and Crosswinds Arts and Science School. It also leaves out the additional funding that the Governor has asked for to assist in addressing the neglect of our four federally funded BIE (Bureau of Indian Education) schools that have been historically neglected. Click here to read the first of four-part series by the Star Tribune
Bottom line, at a time when we should be using our surplus to continue to build up our PreK-12 schools, universities and colleges, this bill woefully underfunds the educational system we have been so proud of in the past. Expect teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, and less resources for our school buildings and students should this bill pass into law.
For more information or to watch the session, click here.
Advocacy Fair – April 8
Now, more than ever, folks have been asking how they can get involved to work for policy change. In response, several of my colleagues have put together an Advocacy Fair, to connect community members with advocacy organizations that could use their help. The Fair, which will be held on Saturday, April 8, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (700 Snelling Ave S) in St. Paul, will feature nearly 20 advocacy organizations. Click here to see a flyer, and click here to see the Facebook event page.
Best,
Mary