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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Sondra Erickson (R)

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Legislative Update from Rep. Sondra Erickson

Friday, April 21, 2017

Dear Friends,

After a brief Easter break, we have spent this week back in session and in conference committees with the Senate.

On Tuesday, the House and Senate appointed members to the various conference committees for each of the major omnibus bills that passed the legislature prior to Easter break.  As Chair of the Education Policy Committee in the House, I have been named to the conference committee for the K-12 Education omnibus bill. Conference committees will debate the differences between House and Senate companion bills, and pass final versions once agreements are reached.

It’s also important to note that the final policy and finance bill deadlines were set significantly earlier this session than in previous years.  House and Senate Republican leadership decided on this earlier timeframe to allow plenty of time to negotiate with Governor Dayton. 

Even with Republican majorities in both the House and Senate, no bill will pass into law without the Governor’s signature. This longer negotiating process will allow for more transparency, and ample opportunity for the Governor to give his input.

Here is an article by the MN House Public Information Office that explains the conference committee process in a bit more depth: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessiondaily/SDView.aspx?StoryID=12783

I will keep you informed regarding negotiations as they progress.

Sincerely,

 

Sondra