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Hello from the State Capitol,
The month of February is leaving us with a ton of snow and a better idea of where Minnesota stands economically.
FEBRUARY FORECAST SHOWS LOWER SURPLUS
Minnesota still has a projected budget surplus, but the total is declining. That’s the official word from our state’s fiscal experts, who tell us we now have a $1 billion surplus. In November that total was projected at $1.5 billion. Slower projected economic growth and lower observed collections compared to prior estimates result in the reduced revenue forecast.
With this information, the House majority will now (hopefully) begin moving quickly towards passing budget bills as only two and a half months remain in the 2019 session. To me, this much is clear: with a $1 billion surplus – which exists due to an over-collection from state taxpayers – there is no need to raise anyone’s taxes for any reason in our next budget.
PRO-LIFE LEGISLATION EVERYONE CAN SUPPORT
As an elementary school teacher of 33 years who loves and cherishes children, I cannot be anything but pro-life. My hope is to have less and less abortions in our state, while promoting adoption and organizations that come alongside pregnant women to help them through potentially difficult situations that might drive one to abortion.
That’s why I have authored legislation this session that would modify the eligibility for the Positive Abortion Alternatives Grant Program and provide nearly $700,000 to help organizations that help women who did not wish to become pregnant.
Rachel’s Hope in neighboring Austin, MN is an outstanding example of a pregnancy center that is bringing more compassionate support to women. Not only does this organization connect women to resources – ultrasounds, clothing, diapers, and education on how to raise a child – but it gives women hope and saves a baby’s life.
In addition to coming alongside pregnant women in precarious situations, we should also be looking at ways to make adoption an affordable, safe, secure, and positive option for unwanted pregnancies.
It saddens me that as a society we work hard to protect eagle eggs and turtle eggs, but we won’t protect a fetus in the womb. I firmly believe that life is precious from conception until natural death, and that promoting the Positive Abortion Alternatives Grant Program is something both pro-choice and pro-life Minnesotans should be able to come together to support.
REDUCING PAPERWORK FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
I am part of a bipartisan team of legislators that is working on legislation to reduce the paperwork load on special education teachers. Paperwork overload has become a critical issue in special education. Many special education teachers spend over a third of their day working on paperwork instead of working with their students. Not only is it having a detrimental effect on the education of students, it’s also a reason we are losing special education teachers at a very concerning rate.
With the help of the Office of the Legislative Auditor and the New Ulm Schools Special Education staff, we have identified six areas where we believe paperwork can be reduced (empowering local schools and parents to make those decisions at the local level instead of mandates) without any negative implications on students’ education. Each of these areas exceed federal requirements. Our first hearing for these reduction bills took place last Monday in the Education Policy Committee and they were held over for possible inclusion in the education omnibus bill.
LOCAL VISITORS
I had the pleasure of having a visit from some local FFA students from the Albert Lea Area Schools, along with their teacher, Christina Ebeling. I love it when local people come to St. Paul to visit with me, and doubly so when those visitors are students. We had a great chat about the FFA program, as well as the various interests of these young people. FFA is a wonderful program that builds both character and skills in students!
Pictured here are students Kaitlyn Hanson (one of my former first graders!), Lara Westrum, Tanner Dario, and teacher Christina Ebeling.
Talk to you soon,
Peggy
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