Dear neighbors,
We spent this week debating "omnibus" bills, each one representing a package of finance bills for one subject area. Budgets should always reflect our values as a state, so this week I'll focus my "Push. Build. Resist." message on how to craft a budget that tends to our needs and values as a state.
PUSH.
In 2008, Minnesotans voted for the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment to the state constitution. The amendment provided new funds to protect and preserve some of Minnesota's greatest assets.
This year, I was proud to work with my colleagues to push for legacy funds to make their way to Duluth. Here are just a few of the projects that will benefit our community from the legacy amendment over the next two years:
- $150,000 to the Lake Superior Zoo to develop educational exhibits and programs.
- $300,000 to the Great Lakes Aquarium for a grant to the Lake Superior Center Authority to develop, prepare, and construct an exhibit on river systems to help protect, enhance, and restore water quality in Minnesota rivers.
- $300,000 for the Duluth Children's Museum for interactive exhibits, arts and cultural programming.
I will push to make sure the Governor signs off on these outstanding projects.
BUILD.
The face of the Minnesota state legislature is changing, slowly but surely. This year, the DFL Caucus in the House is just one member shy of being half women, and the number of people of color in our caucus more than doubled with the incoming freshman class.
Undoubtedly, these changes are making legislators uncomfortable. You may have seen the viral video of DFL Leader Melissa Hortman praising the heartfelt speeches of women of color on the House floor. But what was more inspiring for me were the speeches themselves.
You can watch a clip of the best speeches about racial inequality in Minnesota here.
Being uncomfortable can be a powerful way of building community. I have the privilege of serving our state every day with these strong progressive leaders who make me hopeful for the future of Minnesota. With their help, I'm confident we can continue Minnesota's tradition of helping families thrive.
RESIST.
Duluth's public schools welcome students from every background and arm them with the tools they need to be the leaders of tomorrow.
Unfortunately, the Republican education plan we debated this week would undermine the robust public schools we've come to love in Duluth. By significantly underfunding our public schools to pay for private school neovouchers and tax cuts to 1,000 of Minnesota's wealthiest families, our schools will be forced to lay off teachers and overcrowd our classrooms.
In addition, the Republican plan puts our pre-K program in Duluth at risk, as well. In fact, it would not only stop the expansion of pre-K around the state, it would actually defund existing pre-K programs starting two years from now. It's difficult to imagine why legislators would want to use our children as a bargaining chip with the Governor.
Rep. Liz Olson
221 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155