Dear Neighbors,
Last week, we spent a lot of our time on the House floor. On Monday, we heard the Tax bill which we debated late into the evening. On Tuesday, we heard the combined Health & Human Services and Transportation Omnibus bill as well as the Public Safety Omnibus Bill. We went into session at 10 a.m., broke for a quick caucus to discuss the bills and then returned to the House floor at 12:30 p.m. We debated the bills until after 11:30 p.m. that evening. On Wednesday, we had quite a few non-controversial individual bills on the floor. And on Thursday we had a mega Omnibus bill on the floor that included the areas of Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources, Jobs & Energy and State Government Finance. Needless to say, that debate went late into the evening as well. You can see the details of these bills below. All Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to be safe, healthy, and successful. Unfortunately, these bills failed on all three counts.
I am not opposed to larger omnibus bills, but I believe that all the provisions in these bills should be items that have gone through the committee process and had thorough vetting. I also have come to expect these bills to include provisions that I agree and disagree with. I have referred to them as the “Good, the bad and the ugly”. It would also be preferable that if it is a finance omnibus bill, that is would have limited policy in it. Unfortunately, these bills had more bad and ugly in them than they had good as well as containing lots of policy provisions.
Now that these omnibus finance bills (with loads of policy) have passed off the House and Senate floors, they will be brought together and matched up in a conference committee where House and Senate members will work out the differences. These particular bills will actually be melded into one large “mega” omnibus bill and will be discussed in full in one conference committee. This conference committee will have only five House and five Senate members making these decisions, which is not the best way to craft a bill. Once the conference committee finishes its work, the bills will make their way back to the House and Senate floor for a vote and then onto the Governor. There are plenty of policy provisions in these bills that Governor Dayton has made clear that their inclusion will put the full bill in jeopardy of a veto. If they are vetoed, legislative procedure allows for these items to go into another conference committee for negotiations. We have only two weeks left to complete all of this work. So, I envision many more late nights, overnights and some time spent sleeping on my couch.
We do spend a lot of time with colleagues on the House floor during these waning weeks of session. In fact, we spend so much time together we start to dress alike. Below is just a few examples.
Rep. Halverson and me sporting our white jackets
Rep. Flanagan and me sporting our jean jackets
Property Taxes & Local Government Division
On Wednesday morning, after our late Tuesday night, the Property Tax & Local Government Division met to hear an individual bill. The bill provides a $50 per acre tax credit for farm land that qualifies for the buffer program. A few years ago, we passed a bill that required farmers to create a small buffer on a creek or ditch that runs through their tillable land. By creating a buffer we are keeping fertilizers and pesticides out of the water and improving water quality. This provision acknowledges the loss of this tillable land and reimburses them for it. Governor Mark Dayton supports the bill but has asked that the money is taken out of the General Fund. Unfortunately, the bill our committee heard takes money out of the Clean Water Legacy fund. As this provision moves on, I hope that there will be a consensus reached.
Tax Bill & Budget Bills Pass Off the House Floor
Tax Bill
On Monday, the House passed the Republican tax bill, H.F 4385. We spent quite a few hours debating the bill, which is a response to the Federal Tax bill, and will raise taxes on many Minnesotans. A majority of the bill focused on how to deal with Federal conformity. The Federal Tax bill leaned heavily toward permanent tax breaks for businesses and corporations while the individual tax cuts will disappear after seven years. We have an opportunity at the state level to even out the tax cuts by focusing our bill on individual taxpayers. I supported Governor Dayton’s tax bill because I believe that it did just that as well as set us up for a stable fiscal future. While the House tax bill had a few important provisions for individuals, I do not believe it did enough for those in the lower brackets or our seniors who are on fixed incomes. It also gave more tax breaks for larger corporations, on top of the ones they received from the federal level. I believe that Minnesotans deserve better so I voted no. I do have hope that the bill will improve during the conference committee process.
MinnPost: Who pays, who saves under the three tax plans being proposed at the Minnesota Legislature
Health & Human Services and Transportation Omnibus Bill
On Tuesday, we heard a bill that combined Health & Human Services and Transportation Finance into one bill. It was unfortunate that these two bills were combined. If the Transportation bill had been presented separately, I would have voted yes on it. But, the Health & Human Services portion had provisions that I could not support so the full bill garnered my no vote. Some of these provisions included expanding short-term health insurance policies that do not cover pre-existing conditions in the first six months, the Nurses Compact and prevention of ever implementing a MNCare buy-in program. My biggest objection to the HHS portion of the bill was what it did not include. There was no money to address the child care crisis that is effecting communities across our state and no meaningful reform to address the eldercare abuse we have seen a dramatic increase in. While there was one-time money for some important programs, there was no on-going funds included.
The Transportation portion of the bill included some one-time money for roads and bridges, but did not include any money for greater Minnesota transit or for the shortfall that the Metropolitan Council is facing for Metro Mobility and their daily transit obligations. We really need to do much better for the folks that are transit dependent.
Session Daily: House passes combined health and transportation omnibus bills
As a reminder, last week the House DFLers released a minority report for HHS & Transportation. A minority report is used to explain what the minority, in this case the DFL, would invest in if they were in charge.
RELEASE: House DFLers file Health and Human Services minority report
Public Safety Omnibus Bill
On Tuesday evening, we started to discuss the Public Safety Omnibus bill. The bill included some policy provisions that had bipartisan support such as the working group to collect data on murdered and missing indigenous women as well as funding for the Guardian Ad Litem program. But, this bill was also notable for what was missing. It did not include any of the Governor’s recommendations for the healthcare system in our prisons. We are constitutionally mandated to treat those in state care and shortchanging is really not an option. I voted no on this bill as well.
Also included was the increased penalty for those who protest on a highway, at the airport or block a light rail train. Once again, we had a long moving discussion on the floor regarding this provision. As a reminder, this provision would increase what currently is a criminal misdemeanor and raises it to a gross misdemeanor. I believe the current penalties are stiff enough and we should be focusing on the underlying issues that are causing these infrequent demonstrations on our highways and the single one we had at our airport in recent years. There was also an amendment placed on the bill that folks are referring to “guilty by association”. This extends criminal charges to anyone who counsels, aids or supports someone who causes damage to critical infrastructure due to a protest. The way it is drafted would cast too wide a net and pull in folks that may be innocent.
Bring Me The News: Minnesota House passes bill cracking down on freeway protests
Four Part Omnibus Bill
These omnibus bills are the latest examples of the Republicans misplaced priorities that don’t represent Minnesota values. We debated this bill for over ten hours. It really is a monstrous bill that was 349 pages long with 24 amendments from both Democrats and Republicans. I break it down below and briefly talk about each section. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me.
The Agricultural section had very little funding that was mainly directed to mental health counseling for farmers. Otherwise, the policy included was mostly non-controversial. It did include a provision, which I opposed, that prohibits adoption of the proposed Groundwater Protection Rules (Nitrogen Rules) without legislative approval. In statute, agencies are allowed to conduct rulemaking by following a very thorough process that includes stakeholder input. In fact, the nitrogen rule is in the final part of this process that included input from 1,500 farmers and had 820 formal written comments. The Minnesota Corn Growers, Minnesota Farmers Union and the Minnesota Environmental Partnership have indicated the draft rule is workable and reasonable. The provision included in the Agriculture portion of the bill would stall the release of the rule, ignoring all the work the stakeholders have done.
The Environment & Natural Resources portion of this huge bill included more policy than funding. The bill had a very small target and only included half of what the Governor recommended to address the chronic wasting disease that affects deer, elk and moose populations in Minnesota. It also erases the wild rice standards and gives industrial facilities a pass on meeting standards when they build wastewater treatment facilities. Additionally, it interferes with the 3M lawsuit settlement and opens the door for ATVs in our state parks.
In the Jobs & Energy portion of the bill, the Republicans continue to raid the Minnesota Investment Fund and the Job Creation Fund. It also falls far short, once again, on investing in broadband when we have a surplus to work with. And, it has provisions in it that will cause an increase to Xcel rate payers and hamper the ability for the state to implement any new safety building codes when it comes to residential home construction.
But the worst provisions are tucked into the State Government Finance portion of the bill. Last year we set a two year budget for our state agencies and in this provision we take some of that money back with a $7 million cut. A reminder, we currently have a budget surplus. These cuts effect state agencies, albeit differently. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights took the biggest cut with a 30% reduction in their budget which would result in the elimination of 40% of their staff. This will eliminate the ability of the department to fulfill its statutory obligations to some of the most vulnerable folks in our state while we are seeing an uptick in assaults and discrimination against them. The bill includes no new money for cybersecurity, micromanages the Executive branch and hampers the ability for state agencies to provide services that Minnesotans expect and deserve. You can see my comments on the House floor regarding this portion of the bill here. Needless to say, I voted no on this bill. It is my hope that some of the veto bait in these provisions are removed during the conference committee.
Session Daily: House passes four-part omnibus supplemental finance bill
Dayton calls for Emergency Education Funding
On Tuesday, Governor Dayton called for emergency aid for Minnesota's schools. At least 26 school districts in the metropolitan area and 33 school districts in Greater Minnesota are facing immediate budget deficits that could result in hundreds of teachers and support staff being laid off, increased class sizes, and significant cuts to school programs in the coming year. Governor Dayton has proposed $138 million of one-time, emergency funding to increase resources for every Minnesota school district by $126 per student, or a 2% per-pupil increase.
Every child in Minnesota deserves a world-class education, but we cannot deliver on that promise if our schools don’t have adequate resources. One of the state’s biggest investments should be in education. I support this emergency funding.
MPR News: Dayton proposes emergency school spending
Republican Public Infrastructure Bill Released
House Republicans unveiled their $825 million bonding bill this week, with just two and a half weeks left in the legislative session. While the bill does include some projects for higher education, clean water, and housing, it is half the size of the governor’s proposal and leaves out many worthy projects, including a provision I am co-authoring for Perspectives Inc. located in St. Louis Park.
The people of Minnesota count on our state infrastructure every single day and they expect the Legislature to maintain and protect roads and bridges, clean water infrastructure, our colleges and universities, and other state assets. It’s our responsibility. With interest rates still low, it makes perfect sense to make these smart investments now. A robust bonding bill will both protect our infrastructure and create over 20,000 jobs. I will continue to advocate for a stronger infrastructure bill that meets the needs of Minnesotans.
Star Tribune: Minnesota House GOP debuts $825 million public works bill
The People’s House
Minnesota Clean Water Day
On Tuesday, there was a large, colorful demonstration in the rotunda for Clean Water Day. There were banners hanging from the upper level of the rotunda and folks with large stuffed fish on sticks. Since he took office, Governor Dayton has pushed for policies to protect our lakes, streams and drinking water all over Minnesota. You could tell by the crowd in the rotunda that many agree with him, including me.
Constituents and Organizations
Meetings with groups and organizations are starting to wane but e-mails and phone calls are picking up as we have two weeks left in the session. I had the opportunity to chat with St. Louis Park Mayor Jake Spano after he spoke at a press conference. He was there to oppose the proposal to completely restructure the Metropolitan Council and include current local elected officials on this regional body. Thank you Mayor Spano!
Mayor Jake Spano
I was also lucky enough to run into St. Louis Park Fire Chief Steve Koering. He was visiting the Capitol during the large omnibus bill debate. He really is a wonderful advocate for our dedicated fire fighters.
Fire Chief Steve Koering
It is very important for me to hear what your thoughts are as we move through session. I know many of you cannot make it to the Capitol, but I am always available by email at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn. While email is the best way to get in touch with me, feel free to contact my office by phone (651-296-9889) if you have an urgent matter or you would like to schedule a meeting.
And, mark your calendars for an upcoming SD46 Town Hall on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 hosted by Senator Ron Latz, Rep. Peggy Flanagan and myself. It will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at St. Louis Park City Hall in the council chambers. Hope to see you there!
Have a great week!
Cheryl