Legislative UpdateFriends and Neighbors, With the three-week delay at the start of session, committees are working overtime to make up for lost time. This week alone, we passed over 10 bills through committee and onto the general register, preparing them for debate on the House floor. Now, with the announcement of a new budget forecast, we have even more challenging work ahead. Fixing the Hiring Loopholes That Put Schools and Students at RiskThe Minnesota Supreme Court recently ruled that schools can be held responsible for hiring decisions when an applicant has had past accusations of sexual misconduct. The case involved a teacher who had been investigated for sexual abuse at one school, left before any formal action was taken, and was then quickly hired by another school where he went on to abuse multiple students. The reason this happened is simple: the allegations against him were sealed in a personnel file, meaning they would not have appeared in a standard background check. The hiring school had no way of knowing about his past because current law blocks access to personnel files that could have revealed the previous allegations and open investigations. This is a failure on multiple levels. Not only does this put students at risk, but it also puts schools in danger of legal action. With schools already struggling to make ends meet due to the numerous unfunded mandates forced on them last session, the last thing they need is more liability caused by a system that withholds critical hiring information. That’s why I’ve again introduced it as HF 914, which would allow schools to access the personnel files of prospective teachers, ensuring they have the full picture before making a hiring decision. This is about common sense, protecting students, and giving schools the tools they need to make informed hiring choices, keeping bad apples out of schools. It is scheduled for a hearing Tuesday, March 11, in the Education Policy Committee. Budget Update – A Growing ConcernThe latest budget forecast confirmed that Minnesota is heading toward a $6 billion deficit by Fiscal Year 2028-29—a staggering shift from the record-high $18 billion surplus we had just two years ago. The FY 2026-27 balance has also dropped to $456 million, down $160 million from prior estimates, as spending continues to outpace revenue. I did attend a briefing, but the full report wasn’t released until late Thursday, so I haven’t had the chance to do a full deep dive yet. I plan to go through it thoroughly and will have additional comments next week. Congratulations to Adriana Kunz! Photo from the Minnesota State High School League I want to take a moment to congratulate Adriana Kunz of Triton High School for winning the MSHSL 2025 Girls Wrestling Championship at 100 lbs! This is an incredible achievement that reflects her hard work, dedication, and perseverance in an intense and highly competitive sport. Adriana has made her school and our community proud, and I wish her continued success in the years ahead! |