Dear Neighbors,
It was another busy week in Saint Paul. Here is the latest update from the Capitol.
Budget Negotiations
Negotiations continue at the Capitol as conference committees work to find common ground between the House and Senate versions of the budget bills.
It will take the House, Senate and Governor Dayton to all come to an agreement on budget provisions before adjournment later next month. Unfortunately, with less than a month to go, Governor Dayton backtracked on an agreement to work with the Legislature to set joint budget targets by today. In a letter dated March 31, he requested that “we set joint conference committee targets no later than Friday, April 28, 2017. That is two weeks after the Legislature returns from the spring recess and leaves more than three weeks to negotiate the details of the omnibus budget bills before your deadline to adjourn." Notably, though the governor did not engage with House and Senate leaders to get to target agreements by this deadline, the House and Senate did release joint budget targets today in efforts to stay on track.
I believe it will take all of us to come to a bipartisan budget compromise, and I am thankful the Legislature remains well-ahead of schedule in efforts to avoid the last-minute lawmaking that has occurred during every past budget session of Governor Dayton’s tenure.
Higher Education
Serving on the Higher Education Conference Committee, we are working to craft a final budget that addresses affordability and accessibility for Minnesota college students. With budget targets now set, we will work toward a final compromise bill which I expect will be completed next week.
Highlights in the House bill include tuition freezes and reductions at MnSCU, prohibiting public postsecondary institutions from imposing mandatory student fees that fund non-instructional student activities, and reforms to the oversight of aborted and non-aborted fetal tissue research at the University of Minnesota.
Notably, I am supportive of research on non-aborted fetal tissue; that is, on any tissues that come from a baby that dies of natural causes. I am, however, entirely opposed to research on tissues that come from a baby who died as the result of an abortion. With the current political divide, however, it was unlikely that we would be able to reach agreement for an outright ban on aborted fetal tissue research, so I have been working closely with the University of Minnesota on an agreement that I am hopeful will become law. The agreement includes language that states a "researcher must provide a written narrative justifying the use of aborted fetal tissue and discussing whether alternatives to aborted fetal tissue, including non-aborted fetal tissue, can be used." This narrative, along with a variety of other information, would then be included in an annual report to legislators. (Note: I do not believe the use of aborted fetal tissue is ever necessary, but am hopeful that these written narratives and the report will prove helpful in educating the public and others on this topic.)
I will share more on the bill as negotiations continue. You can read more in a House Public Information Story discussing some of the differences and similarities between the House and Senate bills here.
Transportation
The House and Senate are working on differences between their transportation omnibus bills, and just today announced the joint target - placing $372 million in new funding for road and bridge infrastructure this biennium.
Also this week I met with some of my legislative colleagues to discuss language I authored in the House calling for greater transparency in MNDOT's project selection process. I believe local stakeholders and taxpayers should be able to understand how and why MNDOT chooses some highway projects over others, and recently this has been an issue. While I am not sure how much of the language currently in the bill will remain as we continue to negotiate, I am hopeful that we can reach agreement on something that will increase transparency within MNDOT.
On a larger scale, I am hopeful we can reach agreement on a transportation bill that will adequately fund our roads and bridges without new revenue (raising taxes). As we have a surplus, and as I believe roads and bridges are a core function of government, I think it makes sense that we place more funds into roads and bridges. On that note, it was heartening to hear Governor Dayton remark recently that he would be willing to come closer to the House position on transportation which uses existing revenue and does not increase the gas tax.
Pro-Life Legislation
Talking about ending taxpayer funding for abortion on the House Floor Monday
On Monday, the House passed two bills that protect women and Minnesota taxpayers. Both are important bills with support from Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, and I am pleased they passed with bipartisan support.
House File 809 prohibits taxpayer funding going toward abortions from state-sponsored health programs. According to the Minnesota Department of health, taxpayer-funded abortions have grown to 43.3 percent of all abortions performed in the state. This is an important bill because many Minnesotans morally oppose ending a life through abortion, and do not want to see their taxpayer dollars funding them.
House File 812 requires that any abortion facility that performs ten or more abortions per month be licensed and inspected by the Minnesota Department of Health to ensure they are meeting safety, sanitary and health standards to protect women. It would also require these facilities to meet guidelines and a set of standards put forth by the accrediting/membership industry organizations including Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Federation. These facilities are not currently licensed by the State of Minnesota, and this legislation is both needed and commonsense.
National Day of Prayer
Next Thursday, May 4th from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM, we are celebrating National Day of Prayer at the Capitol. The gathering will be held outdoors in front of our State Capitol Building.
It’s a great event, and I encourage people to attend!
Around the Community
Tonight at 7 PM in the Anoka High School Auditorium: Anoka High School’s Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica is presenting an evening of Spanish Flamenco with the Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre of Minneapolis. A social hour before the show begins at 6 PM. Learn more about it here.
Talking about Alzheimer’s: Every third Tuesday of the month through May, caregivers and others are welcome to share their experiences and gain a better understanding of Alzheimer’s, dementia, and how it affects family, friends, and our community. It takes place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Rum River Library, 4201 6th Ave. in Anoka.
Property Tax Help: Volunteers are available to help senior citizens and Minnesotans with disabilities apply for their homeowners/renters Minnesota property tax refund. You will need to bring your federal form 1040 or records showing your 2016 total household income, a copy of your 2017 real estate tax statement if you’re a homeowner, and a certificate of rent paid for renters.
Dates include May 9 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Ramsey Municipal Center (7550 Sunwood Dr. N.W.) and May 16 from 1:00-4:30 p.m. at the Anoka County Government Center (2100 3rd Ave., Room 715).
Foster Hope: To address our foster care shortage, Anoka County has partnered with groups to help families in crisis and provide information about foster care in the community. You can go to www.anokacounty.us/foster for more information.
At the Capitol
Visiting with members of the Leadership Academy in the Capitol Rotunda on Thursday. Thank you for stopping by Saint Paul!
Staying in Touch
Please know my office is available should you need assistance on a matter of state government. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-1729 or via email at rep.abigail.whelan@house.mn. I also welcome your input and ideas on legislation and matters moving through the Minnesota House. I am here to serve you! Thank you for the honor and privilege of being your state representative.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Abigail