Dear Neighbors,
We now have about three weeks left in the legislative session. It’s been a busy time at the Capitol as we’ve completed much of our committee work and are spending more time on the floor passing the Republican majority’s supplemental budget.
Sit-in for Gun Violence
On Tuesday several of my DFL colleagues began a 24 hour sit-in on the House floor. Many of us spent parts of those 24 hours sharing stories of the people who have been victims of gun violence and calling on the House to take action to pass meaningful gun violence prevention legislation.
More than 90% of Minnesotans, including vast majorities of gun owners, want action on this issue. I’ve heard from you and I’m committed to delivering common sense gun safety measures that will make our families, communities, and Minnesota safer. Speaker Daudt has gone back and forth on saying whether or not he’s open to passing legislation that will make us safer. Call his office and tell him you want to see background checks passed this year: 651-296-5364 or email him at rep.kurt.daudt@house.mn.
Education Bills
Last night we debated, amended and passed the combined E-12 and Higher Education supplemental budget bill. The people in our community value a quality education and the shot to make sure their kids can have a better future through education. Unfortunately the bill failed to continue voluntary Pre-K programs for our youngest learners, underfunds public universities resulting in tuition increases and program cuts, and most importantly they fail to adequately address school safety.
BIE (Bureau of Indian Education) Schools
I introduced an amendment on the floor that equalizes the funding to our four BIE (Bureau of Indian Education) schools in Minnesota. The Federal government has never met their fiduciary responsibility to these schools and the disparities had reached a level of great concern. In 2015 Governor Dayton committed to “equalizing” the per pupil funding and that has made an incredible difference to students, staff and the communities at the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig, Circle of Life, Fond du Lac Ojibwe, and the Nay-Ah-Shing Schools. As a result of this investment, reading and math scores have increased, graduation rates rose from 40% to 70%, attendance is up and behavior incidents have decreased. The current level of $3,230 per student was used by our schools during 2016 through 2019, and without it, it will be reduced to the former level of $1,500 per student beginning in FY 2020.
Bottom line, when we invest our dollars in our most vulnerable communities, Minnesota wins! All Minnesota kids deserve a world-class education and the opportunity to succeed. Unfortunately, only two of our Republican legislators agree with that sentiment. You can watch that discussion and the vote on the amendment here.
You have my promise to continue to advocate for the learners in all of our communities so that all students have an equal chance at success and teachers have the resources they need to be successful too!
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, April 28 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Minnesotans can drop off leftover opioids in approved drop boxes for proper disposal, no questions asked. This is the recommended method of disposal for opioids and helps prevent crime, drug abuse, accidental poisoning, and contamination of our waters.
Ramsey County has several locations where you can safely dispose of unwanted, expired and unused medicines for free.
Arbor Day
Thank you to Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South Saint Paul) and Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL-Hibbing) who sponsored this year’s House tradition of distributing trees to the Minnesota House of Representatives.
“Arbor Day is a day where we come together as Minnesotans to celebrate nature and to help our outdoors by planting a tree,” said Rep. Hansen. “As legislators, we should look at the long term dividends of how a tree benefits future generations, just as the legislation we consider here should.”
This year more than 200 White Spruce from the Schumacher Nursery and Berry Farm in Heron Lake were distributed. The White Spruce is important commercially as the mainstay of the pulp and paper industry, as well as for construction lumber. In landscape, it is a lovely specimen tree or when grouped makes a sturdy option for windbreaks and buffer strips, and serves as a great visual screen.
As always, it’s a pleasure to be your voice at the Capitol as we work together to make sure the things our community values are a priority.
All the best,
MaryKP