Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I want to start by wishing folks a Happy Easter! I hope you have a wonderful weekend whether that includes worship services, egg hunts or just some great quality time with family and friends.
Happy Easter!
School Safety
One of the top issues I have been hearing about from folks this session is related to school security and student safety. From a number of committee hearings on school safety where legislators considered a wide range of proposals and gathered input from the public, House Republicans have put together a comprehensive school safety package.
The safety of Minnesota kids is paramount, and our package puts student safety first. It provides more critical resources and funding for our schools to address everything from making building security upgrades to hiring more support personnel like school resource officers and student counselors.
Some key highlights of the bill package include:
- School resource officers, student support personnel, and other school security programs funded through increased Safe Schools revenue, including a floor level of funding for small schools
- School building security upgrades, and expanded use of Long-Term Facility Maintenance revenue for security projects
- School-linked mental health programming to ensure better outcomes for all kids
- Physical security audit grants to provide state assistance to review facility security and crisis management policies
- Suicide prevention training for teachers to help educators learn how to engage and assist students experiencing mental distress
- School-based threat assessment teams established to assess, intervene, and report threats facing students, teachers, and staff
Line 3 Replacement Pipeline Bill
An important bill I am co-authoring moved forward in committee this week. House File 3759 would authorize the construction of the Line 3 Pipeline through Northern Minnesota. This is an important project that will bring more good-paying jobs to our area, help support local businesses, generate more tax revenue for our local communities and support Northwest Minnesota’s economy.
This is an important project we need to get done, and the bill’s next stop is the House Floor. I will keep you updated.
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It’s an honor and privilege to work for you at the Capitol. Don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time this session to share your thoughts, concerns or ideas. I am here to serve you!
Sincerely,
Deb
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01B