Dear Neighbors,
I hope you and your family had a blessed holiday and were able to enjoy some time reflecting on the meaning of Easter and the promises it holds for all of us. This week, the legislature returned from its annual Easter break. The final six weeks of the legislative session are expected to be fast-paced as we race to finish our work by mid-May.
Omnibus Bills Season
On Wednesday, the first two of about a dozen omnibus budget bills passed off the House Floor. I voted “no” on both bills.
The first was the Legacy Bill. This legislation appropriates dollars that have been collected via the state’s Legacy Amendment. Approved by Minnesota voters in a 2008 referendum, the Legacy Amendment to Minnesota’s constitution stipulates that 0.375% of state sales taxes be divvied up thus: 33% to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, 33% to the Clean Water Fund, 19.75% to the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and 14.25% to the Parks and Trails Fund.
The second bill was the Higher Education Bill. This legislation provided funding and policy changes for colleges and universities in Minnesota. I was disappointed that most of the funding in the bill will go towards already bloated administrative budgets in the university system instead of for students.
I will keep you updated as more bills come to the floor for votes in the days and weeks ahead.
Partisan Elections Bill Passed
On Thursday night, House Democrats approved a sweeping elections reform bill that violates Minnesota’s longstanding tradition of requiring bipartisan support for election law changes.
The bill will regulate campaign speech, limit engagement in the political process, and threaten election integrity with automatic voter registration when you sign up for a driver’s license. This point in particular is further complicated due to the passage of a bill earlier this year that allows undocumented immigrants to apply for driver’s licenses.
This bill was an easy “NO” vote.
Staying in Touch
As always, it is critical that you communicate to me any thoughts, questions, or concerns you may have. Please never hesitate to reach out to me whether it’s via phone or email. I can be reached at 651-296-4293 or via email at rep.mike.wiener@house.mn.gov. It would be an honor to speak with you.
Until next time, have a great weekend,
Mike