Dear Neighbors,
Thank you for your patience as my weekly update was delayed from last week. A close family member has been in the ICU for the past two weeks and it has slowed down my ability to respond to emails and write updates. I appreciate your continued patience.
A few weeks back, we spent a few hours picking up trash in our local park. Make every day Earth Day!
National Nurses Week
May 6th through 12th is National Nurses Week! In the past two weeks, I have spent long hours in hospitals and I am continually grateful for the care and expertise provided by nurses. Some of my favorite people are nurses (including my mom and grandma!) and I encourage you to take a few minutes this week to acknowledge their contributions to our community. Thank you nurses!
Two Weeks Left of Session
The Minnesota Legislature must adjourn by Monday, May 21st. That leaves us a little more than two weeks to finish our work. This week the House is continuing the work of passing budget bills including measures related to taxes, health and human services, transportation, public safety, jobs, agriculture and the environment. As we work through these bills, my number one priority is to make sure the values of the people in our community are put first.
There are lots of beautiful parks in our district. Get outside and go visit one!
Governor Dayton Calls for Education Funding
Right now, 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, along with significant cuts to school programs in the coming year.
As a result, Governor Dayton has called for $138 million in one-time, emergency funding to increase resources for every Minnesota school district by $126 per student, or a 2% per-pupil increase. For Roseville Area Schools that would mean $1.2 million for nearly 8,000 students, for White Bear Area Schools that would mean $1.2 million for 8,430 students, and for Mounds View Schools that would mean $1.7 million for 11,555 students.
I’m fully in support of these needed funds. Every child in our community deserves a world-class education, but we cannot deliver on that promise without adequate resources.
Chronic Wasting Disease Update
Last Thursday, there was a joint meeting of the House Agriculture Policy and Environment Committees to discuss a recent report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on the Board of Animal Health’s Oversight of Deer and Elk Farms, which are a source in the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
There are significant problems with the Board of Animal Health’s failure to enforce laws relating to deer farms. Major changes are needed in the structure, governance and authority of the Board to address Chronic Wasting Disease and other animal diseases which could affect Minnesota. As a deer hunter myself, I will continue to work towards actual changes to slow the spread of CWD in our state.
Floor Debate – How a Treaty Works
Last week I offered an amendment to remove a section from an omnibus bill that would impact the 1867 Ceded Territory Fisheries Technical Committee. This unconstitutional provision reflects a misunderstanding of federal treaty law and I do not believe we should be codifying it in to law.
To learn more you can watch the video of the floor debate here: https://youtu.be/NoVhrZLMVs0
Small Business Week
Last week was National Small Business Week! The United States has celebrated Small Business Week since 1963, which commemorates the contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Minnesota has more than 503,000 small businesses, which employ approximately 1.2 million people. Overall, small businesses employ approximately 47 percent of Minnesota’s workforce.
To learn more about the tools and resources available to entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in Minnesota, click here.
Roseville Residents: Free Document Shredding
Protect yourself from identity theft with a free solution from the City of Roseville. The City is working with Business Data Record Services (BDRS) to offer a free document shredding day at City Hall. Roseville residents may shred anything, but AARP suggests shredding credit card offers that come in the mail; papers that include identifying information such as your birth date, signature, account numbers, passwords, PINs and Social Security numbers; deposit slips; and credit card receipts.
Shredding is open to Roseville residents on May 19 from 9:00 am to noon at Roseville City Hall.
Shoreview Students: Human Rights Commission Vacancies
Shoreview has three vacancies for student representatives on the Human Rights Commission. Students must be high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors at Mounds View or Irondale High Schools. You can find the application here. When completed send it to reisenbeisz@shoreviewmn.gov
As always, it’s an honor to be your voice at the Capitol to fight for the things our community values.
Sincerely,
Jamie