Dear Neighbors,
We have less than a week left in the legislative session and a lot of work to complete. I am continuing to work with my colleagues to address the opioid crisis, take steps to end chronic elder abuse, provide emergency school funding, and many other big issues. For us to move legislation that reflects our values we need to work together and we need to do it now.
Yesterday, I reluctantly voted for a bonding bill that is too small, but did include support for flood mitigation for DeCola Ponds, New Hope’s 50-meter pool, and inflow and infiltration grants. These are great projects for our community and I’m continuing to talk with my colleagues to improve the bonding bill and ensure these local projects remain a top priority for everyone.
This week, I also introduced a bipartisan constitutional amendment proposal stopping lawmakers from combining multiple unrelated policies or budget proposals. Minnesotans value fairness and honesty. If a lawmaker has an idea they think would make Minnesota a better place to live, it should be voted on with every member being aware of the proposal, not disguised in some 500-page budget bill or tied to different proposals which are completely unrelated. It feels too often like the only rationale used to argue two proposals are related is if both proposals influence something on or near the planet Earth.
Please let me know if you have any concerns in the final days of the legislative session. I am proud to represent our community.
Sincerely,
Mike Freiberg
State Representative