Dear Friends and Neighbors,
On Friday, June 12, the legislature held a special session to repass several bipartisan bills vetoed by the governor, as well as three other bills relating to legacy, bonding and technical corrections.
Although I am disappointed Governor Dayton forced us into a special session, I am pleased that we came to an agreement because Minnesotans expect us to get our work done in St. Paul. Not only that, but our agreement will ensure 9400 state employees don't lose their jobs, agencies receive the vital funding they need to combat avian flu and real government reforms are implemented that benefit Northwest Minnesota.
First, the legislation that probably received the most attention after the end of session was the education omnibus bill. Governor Dayton originally vetoed our legislation over his insistence to fund mandatory, universal pre-kindergarten for three and four year olds. This proposal did not move through either the House or Senate in the regular session, and in the end, he dropped this demand.
Now, in total, our education bill invests an additional $525 million into education, including $95 million in new funding for early learning initiatives like school readiness aid and targeted early learning scholarships. This will also put 2 percent on the student formula in both 2016 and 2017.
What's more, this bill still contains a number of Republican-led reforms including streamlining the process to license out-of-state educators which will help address the teacher shortage in Greater Minnesota school districts.
Next, the agriculture and environment bill, which was vetoed earlier this year, was also renegotiated. We fought to protect a number of provisions important to Minnesota's agriculture industry including $23 million in funding to state agencies to respond to the avian flu outbreak. There was also a compromise to the governor's request for buffer zones along public ditches. Instead of the 50-foot buffer he originally called for, there will be better enforcement of the current 16.5-foot buffer laws with additional funding for our local soil and water conservation districts to help with compliance and enforcement. This compromise helps ensure local control and management in our communities.
Third, the jobs and energy legislation remained nearly identical to the legislation vetoed earlier this session by Governor Dayton. It includes broadband grants, job training grants, net metering reform and saves taxpayers money, spending $24 million less than last biennium.
Finally, the House and Senate also passed the legacy bill which is funded by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment passed by Minnesota voters in 2008, and a bonding bill which funds State Capitol renovations, transportation projects, disaster relief and wastewater infrastructure improvements. The bonding bill also includes funds for flood prevention which is important to communities in the Red River Valley.
Overall, I am pleased with the work we did this session. We put more money into education, defeated the largest gas tax in state history, increased reimbursement rates for nursing homes, and implemented additional government oversight and efficiencies to protect taxpayers.
As your voice in St. Paul, if I can be of any assistance to you or your family on a matter of state government, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
I wish you and your family a happy summer!
Deb