Dear Neighbor,
Here is the latest news from Saint Paul.
New Legislation
Last week, I introduced and had the first hearing for HF 464, a bill that creates a fund to be used by the Office of Justice Programs to award grants for programs that have proven to be effective in reducing or eliminating domestic violence by treating the abusers. This is a first of its kind grant program to target the source of the domestic violence: those who are committing it. This bill is another component of a larger, bi-partisan effort to reduce violence and remove barriers to justice.
One of the other bill authors, Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein, and I were interviewed by Mary LaHammar of Almanac. The segment begins at 10:28.
At Issue also covered this topic on Sunday morning. That segment begins at 1:15.
Monticello Special Education Funding
On Thursday, I presented HF 207 to the House Education Finance Division. This is the bill that fixes the funding shortfall created when the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) forced the Monticello School District to change the structure of their special education co-op. Through no fault of the district’s, and in spite of reassurances from MDE that they would be held harmless, the changes created a $1.6 million funding shortfall. This bill would make the district whole again.
HF 207 was laid over for possible inclusion in the Education Finance Omnibus bill, which is often the first step needed for a funding request to be signed into law. Similar legislation was included in last year's omnibus bill that was vetoed by Governor Dayton. Although I'm optimistic that Chair Davnie and my colleagues will agree that this bill is essential and agree to move it forward again this year, I will continue to advocate for it at every possible opportunity.
Thank you to Tina Burkholder and Gary Kraft for taking the time to testify at the committee hearing. Your voices are invaluable in this effort.
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As always, if you need assistance on an issue pertaining to state government or have concerns or ideas about legislation, my office is available to you. You can e-mail at Rep.Marion.ONeill@House.MN or call my office at 651-296-5063. You can also write a letter to me. My office address at the Capitol is 357 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Marion