With constituents at the Capitol advocating for the arts
With South St. Paul teacher Luke Olson
With Quentin Coleman and Tim McCarthy who were at the Capitol for Building Trades Day on the Hill
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Here is an update from the Capitol.
Forecast
On Tuesday, the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget released the February economic forecast, revealing that our state has a $1.65 billion surplus for Fiscal Years 2018-19. That is up about $250 million from November.
For Woodbury families, small businesses, college graduates and seniors, one of the top requests I hear again and again is please pass a comprehensive tax relief bill. This $1.65 billion surplus shows that this session legislators can invest in our shared priorities, pass a responsible state budget and provide significant tax relief for the hardworking taxpayers of our state.
With this information, the House will release budget targets for committees later this session before crafting budget omnibus bills. I will keep you updated.
Water Quality Testing in Schools Bill
Talking to KSTP reporter Eric Chaloux about House File 1698
I recently introduced bipartisan legislation requiring lead testing of water in public schools. Under the proposal, the health and education departments will develop a model plan to require school districts to test for the presence of lead in the water of public school buildings serving students K-12.
Additionally, to ensure this is not an unfunded mandate on our schools, the bill allows the use of long-term facilities maintenance revenue which was put into state law last biennium.
This bill is in response to a KSTP report last year that found that School District 833 had not conducted lead water testing since 2000. As a parent, former educator and legislator, I want to protect our kids. This bill is a step in the right direction, and I will be advocating for its passage.
You can see the KSTP news story about my bill here.
Department of Commerce
This week, I co-authored a letter to Governor Dayton regarding recent court rulings against the Department of Commerce and Commissioner Rothman. The letter details some of the most troubling instances at the heart of those decisions including unconstitutional attacks on Minnesota consumers and businesses; interminable investigations without cause; and disregard for limits of agency power.
These are non-partisan accusations from judges of high regard, and show that certain unelected officials within the Department of Commerce view some laws as mere suggestions rather than appropriate limits of their power. Agencies cannot engage in abusive and anti-consumer behavior without consequence.
You can read the letter I sent here. Additionally, I sat down to talk with KSTP about the misconduct within the department, and you can watch the full story here.
Miller Barn Bill
Advocates for the Miller Barn Project were in Saint Paul this week
This week in the Legacy Committee, they heard my bill to appropriate $400,000 for a grant that will help with the restoration and historical programming for the Miller Barn in Woodbury. The barn, which dates back to the early 1920s, is an important piece of our town’s history and shows the importance that dairy farming played in Woodbury.
Legacy funding comes from constitutionally dedicated funding that goes toward arts; cultural heritage; clean drinking water; wetland, prairie, forest, fish, game and wildlife habitat protection and preservation; and parks and trails.
I hope the bill can move forward this session.
Sunday Sales
On Thursday, the House concurred on Senate language regarding Sunday alcohol sales. The bill will now head to Governor Dayton for his signature.
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As always, if you have ideas about what you would like to see happen this session or need assistance on a matter of state government, I welcome you to contact me. Please don’t hesitate to call (651-296-1147), email (rep.kelly.fenton@house.mn) or stop by my office.
Sincerely,
Kelly
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