Dear Neighbors,
Our second committee deadline is tomorrow at midnight, so we’ve been having long committee meetings ahead of the Easter/Passover break next week. Here are the latest updates from the Capitol:
State Employee Contracts
On Monday, the House passed the public employee contracts that had been negotiated in 2017, sending them to Gov. Dayton’s desk where he signed them on Tuesday. In our community, we know how hard public employees work and how important that work is to our state.
The Senate also approved a pension bill that provides a $6 billion reduction in current and future costs by lowering state, school district, county, and city liabilities. This is important to the financial health of our state and to the 500,000 dedicated former state employees whose pensions hang in the balance, so I’ll be fighting for its approval.
Open Meetings Bill
Last Thursday, a bill I sponsored clarifying Minnesota’s open meeting law passed committee and is now waiting to be heard by the full House. Thank you to Rep. Jim Nash for working across the aisle with me on this bill!
Protecting Pre-K Investments
This week, Gov. Dayton urged the Legislature to protect pre-Kindergarten programs from being eliminated for 4,000 students across the state. The Anoka-Hennepin School District and the Spring Lake Park Public School District have received a combined $440,000 in one-time funding and, if it’s allowed to lapse, 72 local 4-year-olds will lose access to pre-Kindergarten learning in the fall of 2019.
The positive effects of early education make a huge difference for our young learners. Continuing this funding into the future is instrumental for a strong start in school and in life.
Town Hall Meeting
I’ll be hosting a Town Hall meeting with Sen. Jerry Newton. Details are below:
Monday, April 2
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Northtown Library
711 County Road 10 NE
Blaine, MN, 55434
I look forward to seeing you there! If you’re not able to make it, please feel free to reach out with your thoughts or concerns on legislative matters at the Capitol. I appreciate your input.
Sincerely,
Erin Koegel
State Representative