Greetings from the Floor,
Bills passed by the House this week were:
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HF 2749: Omnibus Education and Higher Education Finance and Policy Bill
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HF 1674: Sanitary District creation, annexation, detachment or dissolution procedures modified
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HF 2718: Elk River Public Utilities Commission membership increase permitted
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HF 2777: Authorization modified for emergency responders and peace officers to take bodily fluid samples
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HF 2927: Service signs at two locations permitted
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HF 3370: Registered predatory offender written statement for change of information required, and access to registration data by child protection workers for determination of child residence authorized
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HF 3931: Omnibus Agriculture, Environment, Natural Resources, Economic Development, Housing, and Energy Finance and Policy Bill
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HF 3467: Omnibus Health and Human Services, State Government and Public Safety Finance and Policy Bill
The biggest thing I took away from these omnibus bills was that we should be doing more. Despite a $900 million surplus, the only new funding provided was for broadband investments, which were inadequate in delivering broadband access to all of Minnesota (economic development section of HF 3931), and for the Department of Natural Resources in anticipation of lawsuits related to permitting of Polymet’s proposed copper-nickel mine on the Iron Range (in the natural resources section of HF 3931). Other areas of the state budget did receive new funding through cuts and shifts of existing money. We don’t need to spend every dime of the surplus; however, it’s frustrating that these bills unnecessarily pit programs and different parts of the state against each other. I spoke on HF 2749 to the fact that employers in all parts of the state have thousands of open jobs but can’t fill them because applicants don’t have the skills, qualifications, degrees or certificates needed to perform the jobs. Also, within the next year or two 70% - 75% of these jobs will need some form of post-secondary education. In order to ensure that Minnesota’s economy is strong in all parts of the state, a well-trained and educated workforce is critical.
The House took a special break after the floor debate on Monday evening to remember Prince. Several members participated in reading a resolution honoring the memory of the late artist followed by a moment of silence. Reps. Flanagan and Freiberg then led the body in a cover of “Purple Rain” (Rep. Flanagan sang and Rep. Freiberg played a keyboard that was brought into the chamber). I have to admit I’m not a huge Prince fan, but in the last week or so, as Prince has been played in very heavy rotation, I’ve grown to really appreciate his music. His blend of funk, pop, rock and R & B made incredible contributions to the musical and cultural worlds. He will be missed by many.
Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve,
Ben