Hello Everyone,
Last week was especially busy at the Capitol. The governor released his budget on Tuesday and it seemed to set priorities for the rest of the session. I was pleased to see the emphasis and value the budget places on education. It’s an important commitment to our children and to our future. Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan visited on Wednesday and talked about the budget as “a moral document and an investment in our future.” The governor went on to describe the budget as representing progressive Midwestern values, innovative and dedicated to improving people’s lives.
The budget also makes a significant commitment to families—affordable childcare and paid family and medical leave. His intention is to provide stability in the individual health insurance market and make healthcare affordable and accessible to all. I want to help him accomplish those goals.
Looking for ways to work with Republicans toward common objectives is one of my goals. I introduced six bills last week in the areas of education, health, and natural resources. Five of the bills had Republicans co-authors.
“Recharging” the Environment
HF 1141 would provide a grant to the University of Minnesota’s Water Resources Center to study the feasibility of recharging aquafers in Minnesota. Groundwater reserves are in decline in some parts of the state due to population growth and development. Residents in the southeast metro—including District 53B—are concerned about the safety of their water, the vulnerability of the aquafer to contaminates left there fifty years ago.
The technology of re-capturing rain water run-off and using surface water to “recharge” the aquafers has been used successfully in Europe, India, Australia, and in the west of the United States.
A “College” Education Close to Home
HF 1190 provides support to maintain and strengthen the concurrent enrollment program throughout the state—usually referred to in the metro area as College in the Schools. The program gives students the opportunity to enroll in college classes taught by their high school faculty and receive college credit at no additional costs. The program is enormously popular. It serves to strengthen the schools’ curriculum, encourages students to “try out” being a college student, and reduces the financial burden of college tuition. A good deal all around!
Help with Mental Health
HF 1575 authorizes a sheriff or local corrections agency, with the permission of an inmate, to share information about that individual’s need for mental health counselling based on data collected through an approved screening process. The bill also would provide support to the inmate at his or her release, making sure he or she could apply for medical assistance or MinnesotaCare, secure an appointment with a mental health provider, have access to medication, and benefit from coordinated behavioral health services. It’s important support with broad benefits.
I’ll try to keep you up-date on the work in my office and the work we’re trying to get done in the House. Please call my office if you’d like to stop by for a conversation. My phone is 651-296-1147.