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Hello Neighbors,
As spring weather finally settles in and students wrap up spring sports and activities, the end of the school year is quickly approaching. This is always a busy and exciting time in our communities, filled with final games, concerts, and performances that showcase the hard work students have put in all year. One event worth highlighting is the Little Falls High School Theatre’s production of A Year with Frog and Toad. The play opened last night and will continue with a performance this evening and a matinee tomorrow afternoon. This is a wonderful opportunity to support our local students and school while enjoying a fun, family-friendly show they’ve been preparing for months. Tickets are available at the door before each performance. Full details are at the link above. Come out, show your support, and enjoy a great evening of local talent.
This week, we reached a significant agreement on the Education Finance Bill. The bill passed through the Ways and Means Committee and is scheduled for a vote on Monday takes real steps to support our schools in a responsible and effective way. The bill repeals unnecessary mandates that have limited local decision-making and instead prioritizes flexibility. It increases funding flexibility within the basic supplemental aid account, giving school districts more control over how they allocate resources. In a time of economic uncertainty and shifting enrollment, this level of local control is not just helpful, it is necessary. Unlike the Governor’s proposal and the Minnesota Senate’s version, the House Education bill does not cut any education funding. We have maintained our commitment to students by protecting critical dollars across the board. The bill also preserves non-public aid, recognizing that all Minnesota students, whether in public or non-public schools, deserve stable support. This is not the time to pick winners and losers. It is the time to work together and make sure our education system remains strong, fair, and led by local decisions.
Next week, the Minnesota House will take up the Health and Human Services omnibus bill. This is an important piece of legislation that directly impacts the care and well-being of some of our most vulnerable residents. One of the key provisions in the bill is the protection of funding for nursing homes and long-term care facilities. These facilities are the backbone of elder care in our communities. They provide essential support for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and others who rely on round-the-clock care. Over the past several years, our local nursing homes have faced staffing shortages, financial strain, and rising costs. Protecting their funding is not optional. It is a core responsibility. That is why I have consistently prioritized support for these facilities and the professionals who work in them. Our rural and small-town nursing homes matter. They are not just institutions. They are homes to parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors. This bill reflects that reality and takes meaningful steps to ensure these facilities can continue to operate with stability and dignity. As we move into floor debate next week, I will keep fighting to make sure our local nursing homes remain a priority and receive the resources they need to serve our communities well.
We have just about three weeks left of session, and we have several budget bills to get through the House still. Next week, we will continue to hold floor session every day so that we can complete all of our business and adjourn by May 19th. In district, I want to shoutout to Aitkin Superintendent Dan Stifter for being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame with the "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award. Thank you, Dan, for your service to our schools and your commitment to the sport of wrestling. Congratulations on this accomplishment!
By the way, the Pine Grove Zoo is officially open for the season! Check it out when you can.
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