Friends and Neighbors,
Fighting for our shared priorities and representing the needs of our community at the Capitol are my greatest joys. I was able to achieve my first legislative ‘win’ for our district on Wednesday. Earlier this year, I introduced a bill to assist with the ongoing water-use conflict in the Little Rock Creek Watershed, and I was able to add the bill’s language to the Environment and Natural Resources Omnibus bill which will be passed by the end of session. My amendment directs the DNR to prepare an analysis for alternative sources of water for the area to help all those who use the groundwater. Our farmers know best how to steward our land, and the amendment is incredibly important for the future of agriculture in our area and food security in our nation.
On Thursday on the House Floor, our caucus brought forward an urgency to bring up legislation to address a massive oversight in the Democrat’s budget framework--the lack of funding for our nursing homes. This bill would fund our nursing homes to give them the resources needed to hire more staff to provide the best possible care for our elderly and those in need. Unfortunately, our motion was voted down and these providers are left again hanging in the balance hoping for some amount of relief as the legislative session approaches the end.
This is a major pain point in the budget proposal. There is excessive spending for a number of pet projects throughout these bills, yet it leaves our nursing homes massively underfunded. Our care providers need support and relief to hire staff, buy necessities, and keep up with the inflation that is crushing everyone. The funding formula hasn’t been updated in over three years and is leaving these homes on the brink of closure, with some already closing and leaving their residents with nowhere to go. Thanks to Paula Rocheleau from the Pierz area who came to help elevate the need which is so present in our community.
What priorities do you want to see addressed in the $71.9 billion budget, or better yet what taxes do you think we could reduce to help your household in this uncertain economy? Next week, you will have the opportunity to share your thoughts with neighboring Representative Ron Kresha and I as we travel to a number of town hall meetings throughout the district. This will be a great opportunity for us to hear from everyone in the district about what legislative issues are most important. And, as always, even if you can’t make one of these meetings, please feel free to email or call with your concerns. Here are the dates and times for each stop:
Friday, March 31:
Wednesday, April 5:
Thursday, April 6:
- 9:00 am – Upsala Area Community Center, 111 N Main St, Upsala, MN 56384
- 10:30 am – Royalton City Hall, 12 N Birch Street, Royalton, MN 56373
- 12:00 pm – Pierz Senior Center, 101 Main St S, Pierz, MN 56364
- 1:30 pm – Little Falls City Hall, 100 7th Ave NE, Little Falls, MN 56345
Monday, April 10:
As the final committee deadline approaches on Tuesday, I’m glad to see the provision I've been working on to increase penalties for fentanyl abuse is moving forward in public safety to be included in the final bill. This will bring fentanyl in line with other dangerous drugs and is an important step to cleaning up this epidemic that has affected too many lives already. I will continue to fight for this provision as it heads to the house floor.
|
