Dear neighbor,
If you’re a parent, student, school board member, small business owner, employee, or taxpayer, it was a brutal week for you in St. Paul.
In the dark of night, House Democrats voted to pass the so-called “Safe and Supportive School Act” and sent it to Governor Dayton for his signature. We learned from MNsure – the state agency charged with implementing Obamacare in Minnesota – that one-size-fits-all mandates from St. Paul do not work. I trust the schools in our community to address bullying more effectively than politicians and bureaucrats in St. Paul. We shouldn’t stifle students’ genuine expression of their beliefs in the name of “anti-bullying” policy. Even worse, the language of this law lacks any requirement that parents be notified if their son or daughter is accused of bullying or is a victim of bullying. Apparently, Minneapolis and St. Paul Democrats think they know what’s better for your child than you do.
One of the most egregious examples of political backroom deal-making was between House and Senate Democrats over the past few days. On Friday, April 4, House Democrats voted to authorize the construction of an ornate and upscale new office building for state senators with a total project cost of $89,594,175.00. In exchange, Senate Democrats agreed to what House Democrats wanted – imposing an increase in the minimum wage. I truly feel bad for the hardworking people who will lose their jobs over this legislation simply because Democrats in St. Paul want a fancy new office building.
One good piece of legislation to pass the House this week was a bill that cracks down on the sale and use of synthetic drugs in Minnesota. This proposal expands the definition of the term, “drug” to better attempt to include the ever-changing synthetic drugs that are being sold in the State. The effects of synthetic drug are devastating for family members and for the public. I hope the Senate will take up this bill quickly.
With the legislature in recess until after Easter, it will be nice to be home in Alexandria with family and friends. Please still feel free to contact me with questions or concerns relating to any state legislative issue. You can send me an e-mail at Rep.Mary.Franson@House.MN or call my office at 651-296-3201. You can also send mail to my office address: 211 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Mary