Dear Neighbors,
We’re back on the House floor this Saturday evening, and will likely be working and waiting for Republican budget bills for the remaining hours of the legislative session.
Final Budget Negotiations
Throughout the last week, budget negotiations have started and stopped several times, as the Republicans continue to walk away from the negotiating table, even when Governor Dayton offered to meet them half way. The Governor summarized the Republican priorities accurately:
Mark Dayton: “It is going to be real money and it is going to come out of the real pockets of real Minnesotans, who are elderly, who are disabled, who are down and out. They are going to take away services and dollars for them. Same thing for nursing homes, same thing for personal care attendants, same thing for education, special education, pre-kindergarten. All these things they are going to cut, for them they are numbers on a piece of paper. For us they are real people. They are real Minnesotans.”
You can listen to Governor Dayton’s full remarks here. He will need our support to continue standing strong for Minnesotans. There is no news yet of any detailed changes by the Republican leaders. It is feeling as if there may be more vetoes.
The Governor’s veto letters from the first Republican budget bills can be read here:
Measles Update
I’m continuing to work with my colleagues, health officials and members of the community to share information on the measles outbreak. With the recent incidence of measles cases among unvaccinated children, we all need to take steps to reduce the spread of this virus.
I appreciate everyone who joined my Coffee and Kulan on May 17th to learn more about the work being done to stop the spread of measles. We had many good conversations. You can read more about that meeting featured by Public Radio International here.
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It can lead to hospitalization and in rare cases death. Measles spreads through the air by coughing or sneezing. You can get measles by just being in the same room as someone who has measles.
For parents concerned about the cost of immunizations, the Minnesota Vaccines for Children Program provides free or low-cost vaccines for eligible children through age 18. More information is available at Can My Child Get Free or Low Cost Shots?
For more information on measles, updates on the outbreak and important contact info you can go to the Minnesota Department of Health website here. You can also find a Measles fact sheet translated in Somali and other languages here.
Stopping “Shoot First” Legislation
This week at the Capitol I gathered with community and faith leaders involved with Protect MN, Moms Demand Action, and other groups working to reduce gun violence at a press conference. We were asking legislators to stop pushing the reckless “Shoot First” legislation that is sometimes known as “Stand Your Ground”. Bills like this have been vetoed by Governor Dayton in the past, and would dramatically expand where it’s legal to shoot and kill someone, based on ‘feelings’ instead of facts. It’s a dangerous piece of legislation that won’t make our community safer. I strongly oppose it.
Protecting Transit for Our Community
Earlier this month I joined my colleagues to speak up for the value of transit to so many families in our community. We gathered to send a message to Republicans to use our budget surplus to find the right path that invests in our future by investing in strong transit networks. We can't support a budget that doesn't invest in the transit we depend on every day. Insight News shared more details about the harmful Republican transit plan here:
Standing Strong on Preemption
Your constant contact with Governor Dayton on preemption legislation has been making an impact. On May 11, he announced that he intends to veto preemption legislation if it comes to his desk! You can read the details of his remarks here via Minnesota Public Radio.
Stay Connected
You can always contact me at rep.ilhan.omar@house.mn or at 651-296-4257. I appreciate hearing from you.
Please follow me on facebook and twitter to stay up to date and receive action alerts.
Sincerely,
Ilhan Omar
State Representative