Neighbors,
I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had over these last couple of months to meet with so many of you. I hope you will continue seeking me out whenever you are in St. Paul to sit in on a committee hearing or stop by my office to say hello. Here’s a quick update from the Capitol:
Education
We’ve been asking local school districts to go back to voters year after year to ask for more money in order to meet their budgets. All students deserve access to a great education – it shouldn’t matter whether they go to school in Wadena or Washington County. Minnesota should hold up our end of the bargain and provide our students with reliable, sustainable funding.
I introduced a bill (linked here) that would do just that. It would put revenue from capital gains toward our schools, reducing local property taxes and ensuring that we close the widening achievement gap between schools in the metro and schools in Greater Minnesota.
I’ve also introduced a bill (linked here) which would appropriate money to programs that help students get college credit while they are still in high school, which both encourages students to seek higher education, and makes it less expensive once they are there.
Safety in our Community
Safety in our schools, our places of worship, and in our community is a top priority of mine. I’m heartened to see two bills, which would protect Minnesotans against unnecessary gun deaths, start moving through committees. Under current law, background checks aren’t performed when guns change hands between non-licensed dealers. HF 8 would require criminal background checks to be performed all gun sales. I understand there’s a difference of opinion on this issue, but statistics offer evidence that these background checks are an effective way to make sure that people with a history of domestic violence or other violent crimes aren’t able to access guns. Evidence shows expanded background checks will save lives, and states which have taken this approach have experienced lower homicide rates, lower firearm suicide rates, and less firearm trafficking.
HF 9 would create “red flag laws,” allowing Minnesotans to petition a court if they see someone is in danger of harming themselves or others. Again, there are differences of opinion here, but we know that on average, someone in Minnesota commits suicide with a gun every single day, often after showing signs of mental distress or violence. These laws would help save lives and prevent these tragedies.
House Votes
Last week the Minnesota House voted on an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) bill which would grant permanent equality to women under the state constitution. If approved by the Senate, there will be a question on the November 2020 ballot asking Minnesotans whether they want our state constitution should be amended to read “equality under the law shall not be abridged or denied on account of gender.” Assumed equality isn’t enough. Women and men have fought hard for equality at the ballot box, in health care, in schools and in their wages, and that equality should not be taken for granted.
Upcoming Town Hall Meeting
I invite you to join Senator Susan Kent, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and me for an update on the legislative session so far. Join us at the Woodbury Central park Community Center in Woodbury on Monday, March 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. I hope to hear your questions and thoughts on the legislative session.
Constituent Shout Out
I got the chance last week to meet with constituents (and a former student of mine) with the American Academy of Pediatrics to talk about ways we can combat the rising cost of health care and prescription drugs, and supporting Minnesota’s children and families. Thanks for stopping by, it was a great pleasure to talk with you.
Rep. Sandell with U of M medical school student, a former student of his (left) and U of M pediatrician (right)
If you have a question or comment for me you can always reach out at rep.steve.sandell@house.mn or at 651-296-1147.
Sincerely,
Representative Steve Sandell