Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL)

Back to profile

Legislative Update - May 12th, 2017

Friday, May 12, 2017

Dear Neighbors,

It’s a beautiful day and the promise is for a weekend of perfect weather for fishing opener and Mother’s Day.

May 11th was the anniversary to our great state of Minnesota. One thing I learned is that it is one of the few days that the chandelier in the rotunda is lit throughout the day – a stunning sight!
 



We also celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week. Click here to watch this short video and please contact the committee members to let them know how important it is to fully fund our schools, support our teachers, and make positive choices that make college and technical schools affordable for everyone!

The pace here at the Capitol is a bit erratic but picking up as we head toward adjournment on May 22nd.

The week started out with what appeared to be positive negotiations on an agreement for a two-year state budget between Gov. Dayton and the House and Senate leadership. In a spirit of compromise, the Governor had issued a series of proposals trying to move more toward a positive agreement. Unfortunately, rather than returning a compromise offer of their own, the legislative majority chose to move ahead with unilateral votes, focusing on GOP partisan budget bills. It is extremely disappointing that rather than negotiating in good faith and doing the hard work to find common ground, Republicans chose to push their own agenda that has some very detrimental consequences to our communities and our state.

Governor Dayton made it very clear that he would use his veto measures to send back bills that are not in the best interest of our state; those that cut robust funding to pre-K education, that lack a pay increase to home health care workers, cuts transit service, roll back environmental protections and more. All of this comes when Minnesota sits with a $1.65 billion budget surplus.

As we move forward, I’ll be standing with Gov. Dayton in pushing for a two-year budget that is in line with values that improve the economy, environment, and education in our state and communities. We all know what hard work it is to find that common ground with the goal of opportunity and prosperity for all Minnesotans. I’m committed to this, and I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle can be as well.

I hope you will keep reaching out to me with your feedback. It’s helpful to know what is on the mind of community members.

I want to wish all of the mothers – whether you are a grandmother, step-mother, auntie or friend a very wonderful Happy Mother’s Day!
 


Best wishes to all of you heading out to the fishing openers, be safe!

Regards,

Mary