Dear Friends,
This week the controversy over the Governor's pay increases continued, resulting in Republicans and nearly all Democrats in the Senate voting to suspend the pay increases for six months to give the legislature additional time to act. The House is expected to act on the pay increases next week.
It's great to see such broad bipartisan agreement that these large pay increases are inappropriate, and send the wrong message to the taxpayers who pay these salaries with their hard-earned tax dollars. Unfortunately the Governor has threatened to veto a stopgap spending bill if it includes any efforts to eliminate or delay the salary increases.
My bill to remove the Governor's authority to unilaterally increase commissioner salaries will receive its first hearing in the Government Operations Committee next Tuesday. I will be sure to keep you in the loop on the outcome of this salary situation.
In committee, we continue to hear testimony and presentations about the Governor's budget proposal and some of the other bills moving through the legislative process. I had a chance to chair the Education Policy Committee on Wednesday, where we heard testimony on Reading Corps which included testimony from Taber Akin, an elementary school principal in Lakeville.
Burnsville Police Chief Erik Gieseke also was at the Capitol this week, testifying before the House Public Safety Committee about the police body camera issue. It's great to see constituents and local leaders involved and adding their voices to the discussions going on at the Capitol. You can read about Chief Gieseke's testimony here.
Constituent Visits
It was great to see Burnsivlle High School student Cristina here at the Capitol this week participating in the High School Page program. For more information or to see if a student you know may be eligible for a future High School Page Program, click here.
We also had constituents from Lakeville at the Capitol earlier this week for Hospitality day at the Capitol.
If you're planning a visit to the Capitol, please contact me at rep.roz.peterson@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-5387. I always am interested to hear your feedback, questions, and comments. You can also stay connected on Facebook and Twitter as well.
Have a great weekend,
Roz Peterson
State Representative, District 56B