Greetings Neighbors!
We have just finished week two of the 2020 Session. My schedule has been busy with floor Sessions, Committee hearings, and visits with constituents from the district!
Sincerely,
2020 Bonding Session:
We are in a bonding year with up to $850 Million available without increasing debt. I have some well deserving projects proposed this session. Our economy is in great shape and as Finance Chair, I am confident we will be able to find common ground this session with Governor Walz’s Bonding Proposal and the Senate Bonding Proposal. I will push for more spending restraint and more responsible budgeting. We have a duty to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Below are some of my current Bonding proposals. Click on the links to view and track each bill.
- SF 2825 – Waldorf wastewater, street, and storm sewer improvements appropriation
- SF 2885 – Lake Crystal area community recreation center renovation bond issue and appropriation
- SF 3146 – St. James Polos Building bond issue and appropriation
- SF 3147 – Welcome municipal fire and rescue services and municipal offices facility construction bond issue and appropriation
- SF 3203 – Winnebago elementary school building renovation bond issue and appropriation
- SF 1222 – Martin county justice center bond issue and appropriation
This Week:
- My bill, SF 1098, had a hearing in the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee on Tuesday. The cost of prescription drugs are high and the prices continue to raise. SF 1098 will create more transparency of drug prices and is an important first step toward raising awareness of the role of drug prices in health care. The goal of this bill is to require drug manufacturers to have accountability for the prices charged and for increases in the prices charged for prescription drugs through regulatory review and public disclosure of pricing information, called the “Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act.” SF 1098’s next stop is in Finance Committee.
- On Thursday, we announced a multifaceted plan to return Minnesota’s budget surplus back to taxpayers. Read more about the plan to put money back in Minnesotans pockets here.
- On Tuesday, Governor Walz announced announced a proposal to add $30 million to Minnesota’s Disaster Contingency Account, which is used to provide assistance to communities following natural disasters. I wholeheartedly support adding more funding to the Disaster Contingency Account. One thing Minnesotans are really good at is helping out our neighbors; given the challenges we are expected to face this spring, it’s important we are prepared to give counties and communities the support they will need.
- Today the Legislative Task Force on Child Protection met. This task force was created in 2015 by Governor Dayton and I have the privilege to co-chairing with Representative Rena Moran. The task force heard about “Re-imagining the Child Welfare System”, received an update from DHS regarding the “Family First Preservation Services Act”, and the “Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy”. DHS also addressed “Inequities for African American Children and Families in the Child Welfare System” and the “Child Safety and Permanency Annual Report” from 2018. Lastly the committee had a chance to hear from the public. To learn more about the Child Protection task force, click here.
- This session I am chief authoring a bill that would protect Vikings Stadium reserve account, accelerate stadium debt repayments. SF 3407 would secure the reserve account, protect it from becoming a slush fund, and use excess money to pay down stadium debt ahead of schedule. SF 3407 was introduced on Thursday and is headed to the Finance committee for it’s first hearing. Stay tuned!
This Week’s Visitors!
Troy, Kirsten and Michael – MN Association of Athletic Trainers day at the Capitol
Dr. Davis and her son came by to talk with me about SF545
Lake Crystal, North Mankato and Mankato Firefighters – Fire Service day at the Capitol. Thank you for your service!
Lucca, a Family, Career and Community Leaders of America member shadowed my office at the Capitol. He even got to meet his own Senator,
Senator Jeremy Miller!
PT students Rachel and Megan from Mayo Clinic – PT Day at the Capitol
Steph Johnson and students from the Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition MCSAP & YOCO
Wendy W. – Minnesota Second Chance Coalition day at the Capitol
Come Visit!
If you ever find yourself in St. Paul at the Capitol, please drop by and say hello! If you know a date you will be in town, please call or email my Legislative Assistant, Ruth, and she will get you on the calendar! I am looking forward to seeing so many of you already this session for your “day on the hill” events!
Watch the Minnesota Senate from These Channel Stations and Web Locations Public Broadcast Minnesota Channel:
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