Friends,
Spring finally appears to be here for good and we are hard at work and sprinting toward session end on May 21st. In just the past couple weeks, we have made major progress on a number of key issues and work that we must get done before adjourning in late May.
Supplemental Budget Targets Announced
Earlier this month, we announced overall targets for budget adjustments building on our historic accomplishments in the 2017 Legislative Session that saw tax relief for Minnesotans and extensive investment in our schools and roads and bridges. These 2018 budget adjustments continue our strong commitment to Minnesota families through tax relief, roads and bridges, and school safety.
Our proposal will dedicate the largest portion of the budget surplus toward simplifying Minnesota’s tax code to fully benefit from recent federal tax reform and provide additional tax relief to the middle-class. Without this action, tax preparation would become a nightmare, and over 900,000 Minnesotans would see their taxes increase. Governor Dayton has proposed raising a variety of taxes and fees; so although there is a mutual agreement that tax simplification needs to be done, with a projected surplus I see no reason to raise taxes and therefore working out the details with the governor will occupy quite a bit of time over the next few weeks.
With state government fully funded from last year’s two-year budget, the intent will be to have major investments focus on common-sense issues like fixing roads and bridges and improving student safety. We are also continuing to work to find savings through efficiencies in state government spending.
State Government Finance Bill
Last week we unveiled the State Government Finance supplemental budget bill, it contains supplemental budget adjustments to State Government Finance agencies in addition to several policy changes. Our proposal ensures the state is focused on Minnesota’s priorities by funding the construction of three new veteran homes, dedicating cybersecurity funding, protecting election integrity, and creating more transparency in government.
The bill also contains three of my proposals to bring more transparency and accountability to our state government:
- House File 3771 provides for more direction regarding the Legislative Budget Office’s structure, role, governance, and data practices responsibilities.
- House File 3376 requires the State Auditor to follow certain procedures when reviewing audits of counties conducted by a private CPA firm. Specifically, it prescribes protections for CPA firms so when their work is reviewed by the State Auditor’s office they are afforded the same professional courtesies CPA firms must provide us when they are preparing audit reports.
- House File 1001 provides for greater legislative oversight over rules that impact the cost of residential construction. Specifically, it will reduce the impact agency new rules could have on construction or remodeling of a building to help put some check unto the escalating cost of housing.
Education Bill Prioritizing School Safety Passes House
On Thursday, the House passed bipartisan education legislation on a vote of 94-29 that puts students first. House File 4328 prioritizes school and student safety, increases transparency in school finance and performance reporting, and helps prepare kids for a bright and successful future.
In this bill, we provide critical resources and flexibility for our schools to address student safety and mental health. I am proud of our commitment to ensuring every Minnesota student has access to a world-class education.
Highlights in the education portion of the bill include:
- Championing a multifaceted approach to give school districts the resources and flexibility they need to address student safety and security. That includes expanding the use of long-term facilities maintenance revenue for facility security upgrades, strengthening the state’s commitment to school-linked mental health grants, supporting suicide prevention training for teachers, increasing funding for Safe Schools Revenue, and more
- Strengthening and clarifying state law to address teacher misconduct and teacher licensure including prohibiting sexual relationships between educators and students, even if that student is 18; requiring periodic teacher background checks; and prohibiting the issuance or renewal of a teacher/administrative license or bus driver endorsement for certain felonies or gross misdemeanors involving a minor
- Requiring the Minnesota Department of Education to create a School Report Card —a one-stop-spot for summative and easily accessible school and district ratings that will provide families with a place to research, compare and help determine which school will work best for their child
- Enhancing the transparency of school funding and our commitment to tackling our state’s achievement gap by doubling the number of school audits each year. These audits will discern whether or not education dollars allocated to school districts and dedicated to special education, English-learner and low-income students are reaching the students intended
- Ensuring students are exposed to a wide variety of post-secondary options including the trades and branches of the military
- Strengthening laws that protect kids from school lunch shaming
- Creating a Special Education Working Group to engage stakeholders and examine the factors that are driving rising costs
A number of higher education provisions are also included in the package. Highlights include measures to fund student loan debt counseling, bring new sexual harassment reporting requirements and policies to the University of Minnesota, and to back a textbook affordability initiative.
Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas on issues important to you. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office anytime by calling (651) 296-7065 or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.bob.vogel@house.mn
Have a great weekend,
Bob