Greetings,
BILL DEADLINES LEAD TO LONG DAYS AT THE CAPITOL
With committee work in full swing, I stayed late into the evenings this week as many bills were heard in order to make their committee deadlines. Basically, if a bill is not heard before the deadline date, it cannot be considered by the full House later in session.
Many of the bills I’m working on this week have advanced and are still “alive” this session. They include:
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providing more consumer protection for homeowners
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improving protections and rights for nursing home residents and their families
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modernizing, securing, and updating the election process in our state
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improving the voting process for disabled Minnesotans
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enacting the 2018 Pension Reform and Stabilization package
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adjusting the salary cap for the Metropolitan Airports Commission
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creating an advisory task force to help better connect appraisers with other industries such as lenders, builders and real estate.
PUTTING STUDENT SAFETY FIRST
On Thursday, Minnesota House Republicans highlighted a comprehensive plan designed to prioritize student safety. The approach includes more resources to meet the needs of students and schools statewide which includes everything from hiring more school resource officers, student counselors and mental health professionals to making critical building security upgrades. The following solutions are currently advancing through the public committee process and will be included in the larger proposal:
- School resources officers, student support personnel, and other school security programs funded through increased Safe Schools revenue, including a minimum level of funding for small schools.
- School facility security upgrades, and expanded use of Facility Maintenance revenue for security projects, including emergency communications systems.
- School-linked mental health programing 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.
LONG TERM CARE IMPERATIVE
This week I was pleased to meet with officials from the Good Shepherd Community in Sauk Rapids to discuss the long-term care imperative.
While the overwhelming majority of our senior care facilities – including Good Shepherd - provide quality care for the elderly adults they serve, a few across Minnesota are not meeting that standard. Our caregivers are taking a pro-active approach with lawmakers to work on issues to deter and future maltreatment. This includes proposals dealing with prevention, transparency and accountability.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS VISIT
On Wednesday, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota visited the Capitol to advocate for and share the success stories of the organization in our area and across the state. I enjoyed meeting with numerous students and representatives.
I thank Dottie Riley, Kennethia Riley, Buddy King, Tom Wicks, and Mark Sakry for telling me about their positive experiences with the Boys and Girls Club. Worth noting: Kennethia Riley of the Roosevelt Boys and Girls Club was the organization’s “Youth of the Year” recipient.
Other residents and groups I had the pleasure to meet with this week include:
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Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota
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mental health advocates
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local builders
If you know of anyone who would like to receive future email updates, forward this email to them and have them sign up here. Also, if you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-7808 or rep.tim.odriscoll@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Tim