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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Randy Jessup (R)

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Legislative Update from Rep. Randy Jessup

Friday, April 20, 2018

Dear Neighbors,

Thank you to those of you that braved the snow to attend last weekend’s “Java with Jessup”. It was great to connect with you and discuss your priorities for this year’s legislative session. I am planning on additional meet-ups later this year and I encourage you to attend!

The week was largely dominated by committee work as omnibus finance bills were assembled and approved by their respective committees. These bills will be coming to the House floor in the coming weeks where they will be voted on by the House body.

I am proud to have authored four provisions that are included in the Education Finance omnibus bill. As a member of the Education Policy Committee and strong advocate for our schools, I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished this session.

Here is a brief summary of the provisions I authored that are included in the Education Finance omnibus bill:

  • Dyslexia Screening—these provisions require schools to screen students who struggle with reading for dyslexia. They also require the Department of Education’s dyslexia specialist to provide guidance to school districts and charters on how to access screening tools and identify students showing characteristics associated with dyslexia.
  • School Security Audit Reimbursement— appropriates $2 million to give 100 percent reimbursement for schools who complete security audits. Audits may cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on school size.
  • Mounds View Early College Program—appropriates $250,000 for the Mounds View School District to use towards teacher scholarships in order to continue operating the district’s innovate early college program. The program gives students the ability to earn free college credits while still enrolled in high school. Expansion of the program to 'Pathways to Possibilities' is scheduled for this fall and will offer 6 distinct vocation choices.
  • Sexual Exploitation Prevention—this provision encourages school districts to include sexual exploitation prevention instruction in a health curriculum. The initiative was put forth by a number of high school students in Hopkins and I am grateful for my colleagues support to move it forward.

In addition to work on omnibus bills, my continuing appropriations bill received a hearing in the State Government Finance Committee. This bill, House File 3360, ensures that essential services of our state continue in the event of a future government shutdown.

We hope that no future political impasse will occur, but we need legislation to prevent another state shutdown as occurred in 2011.

Finally, I expect the House to release its tax plan this next week. As mentioned in previous updates, conforming Minnesota’s tax code to changes made by last year’s federal tax bill is possibly the biggest issue facing the Legislature this year.

Staying Connected                                    

Thank you for allowing me to represent you at the capitol.  For any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-0141 or rep.randy.jessup@house.mn.

Sincerely,

Randy