Legislative Update - Shakopee at the Capitol

Hello Friends, 

I had an absolute blast welcoming 7th graders from Shakopee West Middle School to the Capitol over the last few weeks. We’ve been working on this event for a while, and I’m so happy it worked out! Split over two trips, each taking half of the 7th grade class, students got to visit the House Chamber, speak with local and statewide elected officials, tour the Capitol building, and hold a floor vote for their favorite Shakopee restaurant - congratulations to Turtle’s!

This was just a fraction of the students that joined us at the Capitol this month!

It’s always a pleasure when constituents visit the Capitol, even more so when Shakopee students are able to come and learn about the importance of state government and the role they can play in it. Thank you so much to the teachers and staff who made these trips a reality!

Constituents Making Our Roads Safer

It’s not just student visits that we get at the State Capitol. This past summer, Shakopee resident Todd Croy reached out to talk about the tragic death of his son in a car accident in Greater Minnesota. He had put together reams of information and data that could have helped to prevent his 19-year-old son’s death when he missed a stop sign and was hit by a semi truck.

Todd came to testify on the bill we worked on together to add rumble strips at stop signs throughout the state. Under this bill, the Minnesota Department of Transportation would install rumble strips near every stop sign on a trunk highway segment which has a speed limit of at least 55 mph and is outside of city limits. 

This is a small first step and will help prevent accidents. You can watch our presentation here.

I want to sincerely thank Todd for his remarkable fortitude in bringing this issue forward. We’ve already jumped through several hoops together, and my hope is that we can pass this into law this year.  

You can read more about the bill here.

Lowering Costs After Damaging Storms

Two other pieces of legislation I’m working on deal with the costs Minnesotans face after a destructive storm. When communities are picking up the literal pieces, the last thing Minnesotans want to worry about are rising insurance costs or companies price gouging sorely-needed services.

House File 3526, which we’ve already passed off the House Floor with bipartisan support, will prohibit price gouging during a declared emergency and allow Minnesotans to rebuild without being taken advantage of. This builds off legislation we already passed into law by including businesses that specialize in tree trimming and damage restoration services. 

My other bill, House File 4960, clarifies that a change in policy price is not the same as insurers refusing to insure or renew a policy. Prices are often being modified due to claims arising from natural causes like lighting, rain, wind, and hail. Insurers may also require that a policyholder pay a percentage of an insured loss as a part of the deductible. This bill is still going through the committee process. 

ESP Bill of Rights for Hourly School Workers

Working off of last year’s efforts, we are still continuing to push the Education Support Professional Bill of Rights for paras, food service workers, bus drivers, and all hourly school workers in Shakopee and across Minnesota. 

When schools have e-learnings days, salaried employees at Minnesota’s schools get paid. That’s not the case for hourly employees, even though paying these employees is already factored into a school’s budget.

Chris Stinson from SEIU Local 284 joined me to testify on this bill.

My bill, House File 1348, would require that all school employees must be paid their full wages on any scheduled instructional day where the school is closed for a full day or partial day, if the school counts that instructional day for any student. It would also ensure paraprofessionals have a seat at the table when creating and planning their required training. 

You can read more about this bill and our recent committee hearing here. 

Stay Connected - Legislative Survey

As we enter the second half of this year’s legislative session, now is a crucial time to touch base with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have. One way to do that is by taking my brief legislative survey, which you can do here.

Besides the survey, you can also reach my office either through email Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn.gov or phone 651-296-8872. You’ll either hear from me or our Legislative Assistant Jared! You can also follow along on my official Facebook Page.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn.gov

Jared Margolis, Legislative Assistant | Jared.Margolis@house.mn.gov