The 2024 legislative session begins on February 12, and there are several key issues I expect we will be grappling with over the coming months.
First, we need to address the school resource officer dilemma created last session when Democrats hastily changed state law. That change resulted in police departments removing officers from schools across Minnesota. While some have returned after the attorney general issued a clarification, far too many schools still lack this vital protective and relationship-building presence. Reinstating school resource officers must be one of our top priorities this session. The safety of students and staff demands it.
The November budget forecast, which the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget issued in December, also gives us some insight into what we might expect. While the projected $2.4 billion surplus is positive news, hold off on the celebrations because there is also a $2.31 billion deficit just on the horizon.
Remember, last year at this time Minnesota had a mammoth $19 billion surplus.
You’ll recall that instead of using that money to provide any real, significant tax relief, Governor Walz and the Democrat-controlled Legislature managed to spend through that entire surplus in a single session. Now, just a year later, we are looking a budget deficit square in the eye if we don’t act. Many of us warned about it at the time, but the spending of the last session was reckless and unsustainable.
Nonetheless, we do presently have a $2.4 billion cushion. A lot of the issues that many of us care about, like education, housing, or agriculture likely won’t see major boosts in funding given those constraints. However, what to do with our current surplus will likely spark a lively debate. With full control of state government, Democrats may push to spend a chunk on their preferred policies and programs. I will continue to urge caution because keeping that money on the bottom line and getting our spending under control to avert the upcoming shortfall is a wiser choice.
Our roads and bridges are funded, in large part, by dedicated transportation accounts. That means we should have the resources to tackle ongoing transportation infrastructure issues across the state. For too long, roads and bridges, especially in rural Minnesota, have been neglected. We made headway last session by finally adding permanent, dedicated road and bridge funding for small cities, but we still have more to do.
Another debate will center around the size and scope of this year’s bonding bill, which helps finance infrastructure projects statewide. It is safe to expect a bill around $1 billion, far less than last session’s inflated version but much closer to historical norms. I firmly believe any bonding needs to specifically target urgent needs, not wish list items. Funding to replace aging sewer pipes, crumbling bridges, unsafe drinking water systems and similar critical issues must take priority. There are small towns across Minnesota with failing, hundred-year-old sewer and drinking water pipes. In many cases these are genuine public health hazards that demand quick action. Funneling piles of cash to urban arts non-profits cannot supersede those core obligations to all Minnesotans.
Remember: I am your voice in St. Paul. Hearing about the issues that are on your mind is vital if I am to serve you to the best of my ability. What matters most to you? What ideas or concerns do you want addressed?
Please, make your voice heard. My email is Sen.Rich.Draheim@mnsenate.gov, and my phone number is 651-296-5558. And please follow me on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorRichDraheim/
It is a privilege to serve you.
Rich