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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Joyce Peppin (R)

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Budget Negotiations Continue

Friday, April 28, 2017

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Here is an update from the Capitol.

In this Issue:

  • Budget Negotiations
  • Advocating for our Littlest Learners
  • Protecting Women and Taxpayers
  • Community Events
  • Peppin’s MinnTriv

Budget Negotiations

Last week, I shared that Speaker Daudt and I agreed to Governor Dayton’s terms that we would work with him and his administration to set joint budget targets by today, April 28th. We agreed that working with the Senate and governor in an open and transparent conference committee process would help state leaders come to a final budget compromise that best serves the people and priorities of our state.

Unfortunately, the governor backtracked on that agreement this week, changing the parameters and choosing not to have his office or his commissioners engage in the conference committee negotiating process or set joint targets by the agreed-upon date. With less than a month to go in session, it is frustrating the governor is choosing not to join us at this time in working on a bipartisan compromise to end session on time.  

House and Senate Republicans have worked hard to get budget bills passed ahead of schedule and are still working in conference committees this week and weekend to find common ground on budget bills. Earlier today, we announced our own legislative joint budget targets with the goal of continuing to move forward for a successful end of session.

I will keep you updated as we continue to work toward a final budget compromise.

Advocating for our Littlest Learners

On Monday, House Republicans were joined by parents, community advocates and business leaders to stress the importance of early learning scholarships and a targeted early education approach that best serves Minnesota’s littlest learners and their families.

As we negotiate a final education budget, House Republicans have advanced a bill that includes more than $300 million in targeted funding for early learning initiatives including scholarships and school readiness aid. Our nation-leading mixed delivery system of early education options give parents the choice to find programs that work best for them and their child, as well as allows us to focus dollars on low-income and at-risk children who need it most.

Additionally, our bill also includes $40 million for enhanced school readiness aid for school districts currently offering voluntary pre-kindergarten, so they can either continue the program or fund other early education needs that work best for their students, parents and schools. 

In contrast, Governor Dayton is demanding the Legislature provide funding to expand voluntary pre-k in Minnesota. The governor is insisting on this very costly approach even though many school districts in Minnesota oppose this mandate as they do not have the classroom space or teachers to handle this level of increase in pre-k education.  Secondly, doing so would cause financial hardship to the many high quality pre-k providers in our state, not to mention home daycare providers, many of which offer excellent pre-k education services.  

I will share more about education funding and early learning as we move closer to the end of session.

Protecting Women and Taxpayers

This past week, the House passed on a bipartisan basis two bills that address tapxayer funding and the safety of women who choose abortion services in Minnesota.

The first bill, House File 809, would allow Minnesota to join 33 other states and the federal government by prohibiting tax dollars from funding abortions. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, taxpayer funded abortions have grown to 43.3 percent of all abortions performed in the state. As a pro-life legislator, I believe this is a reasonable step that puts Minnesota in line with common practice throughout the United States. 

The second bipartisan bill stands up for the health and safety of women, requiring facilities to follow  industry guidelines and standards to ensure they are meeting safety, sanitary and health standards to protect patients. It would also require the Minnesota Department of Health to license and inspect facilities—something not currently being done. This is a commonsense bill that does not block access or close down facilities in Minnesota, and I believe should be supported by people on both sides of this issue.

Community Events

The Rogers Seniors will be hosting bingo on Monday, May 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Rogers Senior Center on Main Street in downtown Rogers. Bring friends and neighbors, meet other great folks and win cash prizes!

The eighth annual Rogers Revue will be held at Word of Peace Church in Rogers on May 17th starting at 7:00 p.m. The event raises funds for Rogers senior programs. The Revue is a showcase of local talent and is not a judged contest. If you would like to perform in front of a supportive local crowd, don’t be shy!  For more information contact Harold Trombley at 763-257-2956 or Michael Sahlen at 612-867-4627.

The Maple Grove Arbor Day Committee is hosting their annual Arbor Day Celebration tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. at the Maple Grove Community Center. Events include a University of Minnesota Raptor Center show, a Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Zoo, face painting, a free Arbor Day tote bag and tree seedlings (while supplies last), and free tree and garden advice by Master Gardeners and tree care advisors.

Peppin’s MinnTriv

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s MinnTriv Question. The question was: What is Minnesota’s newest city? The answer is Rice Lake City, which was created after Rice Lake Township organized into a city in October 2015.

Congratulations to Ivan Leishman from Maple Grove for having the first correct response!

Here is this week’s question:

19 cities in Minnesota have a population over:

a) 50,000 residents

b) 62,000 residents

c) 76,000 residents

Respond to this email with your answer, and you could be featured in next week’s email update!

***

In order to best represent our communities, I need to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Joyce

 

**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A