Dear Neighbor,
Greetings as we make our way to the unofficial midway point of the 2018 legislative session and take a brief break in recognition of the Easter/Passover season. The Andersons send you wishes for a blessed holiday.
Our second House deadline arrives tonight, meaning bills must have cleared it though all policy committees by this time. Bills I have authored which successfully received hearings this week include one pertaining to the registration of former military vehicles driven on public roads. Another has to do with a larger property tax exemption for agricultural organizations that host farming exhibits, such as Albany Pioneer Days. A third bill of mine which received a hearing would fund the proposed Highway 55/Highway 29 rail grade separation project near Glenwood. All of these bills remain in the process this session.
The House today unveiled a legislative package aimed at putting student safety first. It is a multifaceted approach including more resources to meet the needs of students and schools statewide. This encompasses everything from hiring more school resource officers, student counselors and mental health professionals to making critical building security upgrades.
Of course child safety and school safety are paramount here at the Capitol and I think the most immediate way we can increase the safety at our schools and help children is to work on the security issues at schools and also to focus on the mental health issues where we can get the help to student who may be needing it. In that way, we can focus on getting the most immediate action that is going to help the kids and increase safety in our schools.
On a separate mental health note, the House Agriculture Finance Committee conducted hearings on three bills geared toward helping farm families. This is an important subject as people who work in the ag industry face a unique set of challenges.
Thank you to all those who came out to the series of legislative town hall meetings I co-hosted last weekend in Starbuck, Belgrade, Sauk Centre and Melrose. Turnout was good, particularly in Starbuck, where around 70 folks came to give their viewpoints to Sen. Torrey Westrom, Rep. Jeff Backer, and myself. School safety, muskie fishing, the legalization of recreational marijuana and other subjects made for some interesting discussions.
Look for more news from St. Paul soon and, until next time, have a safe and blessed holiday.
Sincerely,
Paul