Dear Neighbors,
Help for the beleaguered MNLARS system is on the way as the House approved $10 million in emergency funding late last week. Governor Dayton then went on to sign the bill into law over the weekend.
Included with the $10 million in emergency funding is increased transparency measures and performance metrics that will ensure that your tax dollars are being used efficiently.
I was happy to support this legislation as it passed with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 124-6. I am hopeful that we will be able to put this MNLARS debacle behind us sometime in the near future.
On Tuesday, my bill that would provide funding for improved mental health services for farmers received a hearing in the House Agriculture Finance Committee.
According to a report from Minnesota Public Radio, farmers are at greater risk of suicide than other professions, which has been associated with a lack of access to mental health services. A study of suicide deaths for farmers published in the Journal of Rural Health in 2017 found that American farmers in the early 1990s to 2010 had a suicide rate three to five times higher than other occupations.
For too long, the mental health needs of farmers have been ignored. The stresses that farming can place on an individual and their families are unique to the profession. I am proud to carry this legislation and am hopeful that we can get some much needed help to those in need in rural Minnesota.
On Thursday, House Republicans unveiled a multifaceted approach to address the issue of school security and mental health services for students. In total, we are proposing approximately $50 million for mental health and school safety funding, double the amount proposed by Governor Dayton.
Ultimately, no child should have to go to school in Minnesota and be afraid that they may be harmed. Our children are our most precious resource and I am proud of the work we are doing to ensure that their safety is our number one priority. Partnering with local communities and school districts is the right approach to making sure our schools are secure.
Here is a brief recap of the bills that are working their way through the public committee process:
- School resources officers, student support personnel, and other school security programs funded through increased Safe Schools revenue, including a minimum level of funding for small schools.
- School facility security upgrades, and expanded use of Facility Maintenance revenue for security projects, including emergency communications systems.
- School-linked mental health programing to ensure better outcomes for all kids—authored by myself.
- Physical security audit grants to provide state assistance to review facility security and crisis management policies.
- Suicide prevention training for teachers to help educators learn how to engage and assist students experiencing mental distress.
- School-based threat assessment teams established to assess, intervene, and report threats facing students, teachers, and staff.
Finally, I’d like to wish you and your family a blessed Easter.
Staying Connected
Ms.Jayne Schwalbach who teaches at the Minnewaska Area Public Schools was in St. Paul and visited with me about education topics.
Dr Phil Holmes with Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services and his son stopped by my office in St Paul. We had a nice chat dealing with rural health care.
That’s all for this week’s update. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me to share any thoughts, concerns, or questions you may have. I can be reached by phone at either 651-296-4929 or 701-361-1909. I can also be reached via email at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn.
Happy Easter,
Jeff