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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Clark Johnson (DFL)

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Legislative Update - May 8th, 2017

Monday, May 8, 2017

Dear neighbors,

 

It’s time for the Republicans in the Legislature to get back to the basics with two weeks left in the session. Back to the basics means:

 

  • Covering inflation for our public schools to avoid teacher layoffs and larger class sizes.
  • Paying for a big funding shortfall in public higher education to assure classes are available at our colleges and universities, and students get the support they need to succeed.
  • Increasing wages for our dramatically underpaid direct care service workers to address a very real workforce shortage that could collapse services in home health care and at group homes for people with disabilities.
  • Hiring additional staff at the Minnesota Security Hospital and rebuilding the MSH facility to improve care for our patients and safety for our staff and patients.

 

The House Republicans have insisted on an oversized tax cut, much of which goes to very wealthy Minnesotans, and using general fund dollars to build roads and bridges.  This leaves insufficient funding to address basic needs in Minnesota like those listed above. 

 

There are two weeks left in the session.  It begs the question: When will Republicans in the Legislature finally take responsibility for governing and present a fiscally responsible budget that meets basic needs for Minnesota?

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Clark Johnson

State Representative