Dear neighbors,
We do our best work at the legislature when we take time to listen - both to Minnesotans and to each other. And with a deadline of May 22 to pass a budget for Minnesota for the next two years, our success will depend entirely on our ability to listen.
With that context in mind, this edition of Push. Build. Resist. will help us chart a path forward together as we try to make life better for Minnesotans during these last 11 days of session.
PUSH.
When I sent out my legislative survey, I heard back from one person who has worked in the Duluth Public Schools (ISD 709) for the last 17 years. But with large budget deficits resulting from a lack of investment from the state, he's afraid he may lose his job.
So as we inch closer to the end of session, I've decided I'll be fighting for him. I'll be fighting for the students he serves in our public schools to give them the best possible start to life.
Here's how: Our schools need a 2% increase in per-pupil funding just to keep our public schools from making deep cuts to staff and resources. The Republican budget falls short of that basic need, coming in at 1.5% (less than inflation) and thus forcing cuts to pay for tax cuts for corporations and the richest Minnesotans.
But with Governor Dayton pushing hard for fully funded schools and calls coming in daily from constituents to tell Republicans to avoid cuts to our schools in a time of surplus, I'm hopeful Republicans will soon budge on this point and give our students the best opportunity to thrive.
This 2% increase in per-pupil funding is something concrete we can make happen if we keep pushing. If you'd like to help, feel free to call House Education Chair Rep. Jenifer Loon.
BUILD.
I ran for office because I believe a healthy process for lawmaking at the State Capitol is possible. And despite evidence to the contrary, I still believe it to be true. If we are going to start building trust between the legislature and the Minnesotans we purport to serve, we need to take concrete steps to make the Minnesota state legislature more transparent.
That's why I've signed onto HF 240, a bill that would both require us to meet some deadlines earlier to avoid chaos at the end of session and then allow the public to view more of that process in the open as we debate the issues that will affect their lives.
We can build a better community when we listen to and trust each other. I believe this simple package of transparency measures is a meaningful step in that direction; it's just one way I'm trying to reform how we conduct the people's business here in St. Paul.
If you also want a transparent and thoughtful approach to shaping the laws that affect your life, contact Civil Law and Data Practices committee chair Rep. Peggy Scott and tell her you want a hearing on HF 240.
RESIST.
At the legislature, we've got a choice to make: Fully fund pre-K for 13,000 more four-year-olds in Minnesota or give a tax cut to just 1,000 of the wealthiest families in Minnesota.
Watch and share the video below on resisting the elimination of pre-K in Duluth. Then call Speaker Kurt Daudt at 651-296-5364 and tell him which side you're on.
Rep. Liz Olson
221 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155