Dear Neighbors,
As we enter the final month of the 2017 legislative session, the House is spending less time debating bills in committee and on the House floor to allow time for conference committees to meet and resolve differences between House and Senate budget bills. However, the high volume of contact legislators have been receiving from engaged citizens is making an impact as these budget proposals take their final shape.
March for Science /Earth Day Activity
On Saturday, April 22 I participated in the March for Science that rallied here on the Capitol grounds. It was glorious weather for the event and the attendance was well above my expectations. I was interested to learn more recently that the libertarian oriented Heartland Institute think tank has been targeting science teachers across the country, including here in Minnesota, with anti-science and anti-climate change mailings. The mailings include a book outlining the “controversy” surrounding the science of climate change and provide them classroom materials questioning the scientific consensus on the role of fossil fuels and human activity in climate change. You can see a PBS Frontline story on these mailings at http://tinyurl.com/mrqvxar .
Budget Negotiations
As the House and Senate Majorities resolve the differences in the omnibus budget bills that were passed by Republicans earlier this month, they will need to compromise before the bills are sent to Governor Dayton for consideration. In order to finish session on time, the legislature must adjourn by May 22nd. We are expecting many conference committee bills to be made public over the next few days after being negotiated behind closed doors by committee chairs over the weekend.
Last Friday Republican leadership released joint House-Senate spending amounts for the different omnibus bills. The most striking part, and the centerpiece of their proposals, is $1.15 billion in targeted tax cuts. That proposal limits what the state can spend over not just the next two years we are budgeting for but many of the proposals grow in size in future years. We are expecting proposed joint omnibus bills to be released over the next 24-48 hours. These are large and complex bills and may require some time to fully digest. I’ll be looking for a few things as I review the different proposals:
- Adequate funding for K-12 education to at least allow districts to keep up with inflation.
- No cuts to transit and no limits on the development of rail options.
- No extreme measures regarding guns in public or proposals that would serve to chill free speech.
- Ongoing protections for our environment, with an emphasis on waters.
- Sufficient funding for Minnesota’s Higher Education systems to allow them to serve the state in their different ways and restrain tuition costs
Minnesota has a projected $1.6 billion budget surplus and a stable economy. That said, the state’s economic predictions are showing an increased level of uncertainty for the near future and recent economic reports show a slowing economy. Prudence should be our goal.
The nonpartisan House Public Information Office has assembled a rundown of the various budget bills and their path forward, which you can read about here.
Clean Energy Business Day at the Capitol
Clean energy businesses and advocates lobbied the legislature last week, in the wake of the House Republican plan to roll back Minnesota’s progress in building a clean energy economy. In addition to fighting for the progress we’ve made toward more renewable energy, they are working for an increase in the state’s renewable energy standard from 25% in 2025 to 50% in 2030. Clean energy businesses are located across the state, and their employees make on average $71,000, 42 percent higher than the state average. This is a growing field with numerous opportunities in Minnesota and across the country. I’ll continue to promote the creation and expansion of wind and solar business in our state.
Preemption Resurfaces at the Capitol to Cut Earned Sick & Safe Time
The Minnesota Senate recently passed HF 600, which would preempt local governments from setting workplace policies like earned sick and safe time, fair scheduling and $15/hr minimum wage. To protect the earned benefits that Minneapolis workers have fought for in our city, we need to speak loudly in support of these provisions that help working families do better for themselves.
Please call Governor Dayton and tell him you support the ability of local communities to set their own fair labor standards. He needs to hear from you about these bills currently moving at the Capitol, and I would encourage you to call Governor Dayton's office and share your concerns at 651-201-3400.
It is an honor to represent you in St. Paul. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns. I can be reached by email at rep.jim.davnie@house.mn or 651-296-0173.
Sincerely,
Jim Davnie
State Representative