Hello neighbors, I hope you’re getting a chance to enjoy this awesome weather! Things have been busy at the Capitol, and we’ve been working hard on some important issues for our community. I want to share a quick update with you, but before we get into it I want to congratulate the Northern Lakes Boys Hockey team on their appearance in the quarterfinal game of the state tournament last weekend. Although their season ended there, they had a great run! We have heard several great bills in the Education Finance Committee recently. One major theme I have heard is that our schools need more flexibility in how they spend their allocated funds. The mandates that were passed along last session have proven to be burdensome and destructive to our schools. Implementing legislation that gives schools flexibility to use their funds as they need to, it demonstrates trust and allows our schools to focus on educating our children rather than complying with impossible mandates and stretching their budgets to make ends meet. I also introduced a bill this week, HF1835, which would provide funding for the Aitkin Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is a necessary project to improve the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Aitkin, which serves many people in our communities. I presented the bill to the Capital Investments Committee, and I am hopeful that it will be considered later in the session. I am excited to share that we are going to be introducing a constitutional amendment in the coming days. This amendment would give Minnesota residents a choice to receive money back if we have a budget surplus at the House. As I'm sure you know, your tax dollars contribute to our budget. It is only fair that over taxation, resulting in a budget surplus, should return to the tax payers who paid it in the first place. I am proud to support this amendment, and I will keep you updated on the status of this legislation. Next week, one new member will be sworn in as a result of the special election earlier this week in Roseville/Shoreview. The biggest impact will be on our committees, as the structure will shift slightly to reflect the 67-67 tie. However, we will continue the work that we have been doing and I will continue to keep you updated on that. I want to give a quick shoutout to Rippleside Elementary School for their work to coordinate the annual 5th grade ice fishing trip last week. This is a wonderful opportunity for students, and highlights the unique influence of ice fishing in our area. BTW: by the way, this is your reminder to check out a fish fry this evening. Check out the following: Every Friday from 5-8pm, the Royalton American Legion will be hosting its shrimp and fish fry. Click here for more details. Check out Kinship's annual Fish Fry Fundraiser today, March 14th at the Little Falls VFW from 4:30-7pm. |