Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It's been another busy week at the Capitol with committee meetings and constituent visits. I also had the opportunity to talk with folks from the Farm Bureau who came down to St. Paul this week to advocate for Minnesota agriculture.
Here is an update with the latest news from St. Paul.
Railroads and Utilities Legislation
This session, I am carrying legislation to help telecomm companies access space across railroad crossing right-of-ways. The bill is about bringing consistency in cost and access to utilities who, especially in areas in Greater Minnesota, can stumble upon roadblocks with railroads.
My legislations, which has bipartisan support, would require utilities to submit crossing applications to the railroad and pay a one-time standard crossing fee of $750 for each crossing. A utility may run wire at that railroad crossing then unless it poses a serious threat to safety operations of the railroad or the right-of-way.
The legislation passed in the House Transportation Committee this week.
Teacher Assault Legislation
With several recent stories in the news about teachers being assaulted by students, the House Education Finance Committee heard legislation this week that will put teachers back in charge of their classrooms and help protect school staff from physical assault.
The legislation does a number of things including requiring that a school board's district-wide school discipline policy is consistent with a teacher's authority to control their classroom and manage student behavior. Additionally, it would also require that teachers be notified when a student with a history of violent behavior has been placed in their classroom. Third, the bill directs that school boards include information detailing incidents involving a student's physical assault on staff in School Performance Reports done by the Minnesota Department of Education, as they already do to track student on student incidents. Finally, the bill would establish a Victims of School Violence fund to help compensate educators to help cover medical and legal costs.
In all, this bill is about putting teachers back in charge of their classrooms while still maintaining local school board authority to discipline students in a way that aligns with their policies. Students and educators both deserve an environment that is safe and productive to learning, and I am glad House Republicans are advancing this bill this session.
Mobile Lab Bill
In Education Finance last week, the committee heard my bill to have the Minnesota Department of Education fund $900,000 mobile labs that will travel within schools that are served by two cooperative centers to teach students manufacturing and welding skills, with Pine to Prairie Cooperation Center working with Northland Community and Technical College, and Lakes Country Service Cooperate Center working with Minnesota State Community and Technical College.
These labs will travel throughout the school districts, partnering with MnSCU educators to teach students valuable, hands-on skills. These mobile labs will provide a first-rate opportunity for Minnesota high school students to gain practical experience, helping jumpstart their post-secondary education or possibly giving them the skills needed to secure a technical job right out of high school.
Many employers in Greater Minnesota are looking for employees with welding and manufacturing skills, and this program will help tie those needs together with the help of mobile labs and a working collaboration between public high schools and postsecondary institutions.
Question of the Week
Question: There are many proposals floating around the Minnesota State Capitol related to education this session from additional funding for early education scholarships to increasing teacher diversity to ending the 'last-in, first-out' policy for staff retention decisions.
Do you have an education-related priority that you would like to see passed at the legislature this year?
Please reply to this email to share your thoughts with me! Your opinion is valuable and helps guide me in supporting legislation that reflects the priorities of our community.
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If I can ever assist you or your family on a matter of state government, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you!
Deb
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01B