Legislative Update
The 2024 Legislative Session has commenced this week with the aim of providing solutions for Minnesotans. This session needs to address several fixes to rectify the errors from last year's single-party control. These fixes include restoring School Resource Officers in districts across the state that have removed them due to changes in statute and correcting errors in the tax omnibus bill.
Last session, after squandering a nearly $18 billion surplus, growing the state budget by nearly 40%, and raising taxes by $10 billion, we will be facing a budget deficit in the next biennium if we do not rein in government spending.
School Resource Officer (SRO)
Thursday was School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. SROs play an important role in the lives of our students and provide safety for students and teachers. A recent statewide poll shows 90% of students want SROs in schools. Due to changes in the law, many schools across the state have ended using SROs potentially creating an unsafe environment for students and teachers.
During a recent House floor session, we moved to declare an urgency regarding School Resource Officers. This procedural motion would have allowed the House to take up this important legislation to get SROs back in schools across the state. Unfortunately, the motion failed on a party-line vote. Throughout the week we have continued to bring up the lack of bipartisan cooperation on this important legislation. Hopefully, negotiations over the weekend will provide some improvements in the bill and get us closer to this much-needed fix.
Tax Bill Fix
An issue that is crucial for the legislature to address early this legislative session is a correction to last year’s tax bill. An error in the way the standard deduction is calculated could cost Minnesotans over 350 million dollars if it is not corrected. Minnesotans are already over-taxed, and this error could mean families that are struggling with the increased costs of everyday necessities could owe hundreds more to the state. We need to be focused on providing relief for Minnesotans as we face record inflation and cost increases. This correction should be the first step towards that goal.
State Flag and Emblem
Following the outpouring of concern for the process and the final design of the MN state flag and emblem, I have introduced a bill, HF 3770. This bill would require a constitutional amendment to adopt designs for state emblems, including the state seal and flag. Overwhelmingly, people want to vote on this important proposal which will affect the state. I am hopeful that the majority party will listen to the wishes of the people.
Chaplain for the Day
On Thursday, the House's chaplain for the day was Pastor Al Fiene of Friedens United Church of Christ in Norwood Young America. Thank you, pastor, for leading us in prayer today!
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