Dear Neighbors,
It was a busy week of committee hearings as I was able to present a number of the bills I’m working on this session. I also had great local participation in support of my bills, and that seemed to be a big help in moving the legislation forward.
Increasing Rural Health Care Access
On Wednesday, I presented my legislation, HF3189, to the House Property Tax and Local Government Finance Division. Albert Lea city manager Chad Adams and Blooming Prairie mayor Harold Peterson joined me to testify in favor of the bill.
In our area – and throughout much of Greater Minnesota – we’re seeing a reduction in health care services and options, and my legislation is one tool for local governments to make it easier for medical facilities to locate to rural parts of the state. This is especially important in cities like Albert Lea and Blooming Prairie where we have lost critical health services. It was a pleasure to present this bill and, along with these city leaders, be a voice at the Capitol for our local communities on this very important issue for our area.
Vocational Education
Just yesterday, I presented my bill (HF3190) to both education committees.
This bill would provide state aid for students taking vocational classes outside of the school day. Thank you to Fairmont Superintendent and Albert Lea native Joseph E. Brown, Fairmont vocational principal Andrew Traetow, welding teacher Bob Bonin, and students Adam Carstensen and Anna Nordquist for joining me to testify in favor of the bill.
My bill allows students to take vocational classes outside of school hours similar to how Fairmont is seeing success offering a welding class on Saturdays. I think the state should allow these type of classes to be funded even if they are outside of normal school hours.
The goal of the legislation is to increase vocational learning to help students gain the skills and knowledge to fill in-demand work in vocational trades and skilled labor. Many students prefer to learn and work with their hands, and we should have classes and coursework where they can learn an in-demand skill that will help them after graduation.
Technology Legislation
Also yesterday, I joined Rep. Jim Nash and Rep. Roz Peterson to unveil legislation to streamline the way the state creates important software. As we’ve seen from the difficulties with MNLARS, our IT agency, MN.IT, can struggle to create a system that works for Minnesotans.
I’m co-authoring the bill that requires MN.IT to look for commercially available solutions that can be customized to the state’s needs before creating a system from scratch when revamping any of our state software systems. Minnesota taxpayers deserve their hard earned dollars to be used responsibly and efficiently. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the state should look for software that we know works and will be less expensive for taxpayers. You can see a clip from our press conference here.
Please Contact Me
As always, please call, email, or visit my office if I can help you, or if you just want to share your opinion on state issues.
Have a great weekend,
Peggy