Dear Neighbor,
Greetings from the House. Here is a quick look at some of this week’s notes from the Capitol:
Ranked Choice Voting hearing
A hearing for Ranked Choice Voting legislation (H.F. 2486) is set to take place during the Elections Finance and Policy meeting scheduled for 8:30 a.m. tomorrow (Friday). I am a member of that committee and look forward to this discussion, particularly as we dig into impacts RCV could have in our state.
I may share more thoughts on RCV after the bill hearing. On the surface, I have very strong reservations. Our nation was founded on one person, one vote. That would change under RCV, which makes ballots more complicated and could result in serious unintended consequences. This video provides a quick overview.
Public safety
Republicans have issued a Safe & Sound Minnesota public safety plan to help our state combat abnormally high rates of violent crime. Our common-sense solutions would help officers do their jobs, ensure our laws are enforced, and hold criminals accountable.
The package includes 17 different bills from 15 different Republican authors across the state. Confronting the criminal threat would include new laws to add a new crime of carjacking to state statute, increase penalties for fleeing police in a motor vehicle, align fentanyl to the same weight thresholds and penalties as heroin, and increase sentences for those convicted with at least two prior crimes of violence.
The Safe & Sound Minnesota plan also features transparency and accountability measures for the state’s courts. New data reporting would help legislators and the public understand how many felony-level offenses go uncharged, as well as a database by the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission for the public to conduct research about judges and their decisions to follow criminal sentences created by the legislature.
And, to address concerns that violent, repeat offenders are too often released, there is a new mandatory minimum sentence proposed for dangerous criminals who commit crimes with a firearm. The plan would also make who posts bail payments public data. Recent scrutiny on non-profits bailing out violent criminals shows Minnesotans are at risk when these non-profits aren’t held accountable for their decisions.
Education
I mentioned in a recent newsletter that reports show half of Minnesota’s students are unable to read proficiently at grade level and no real science-based reading plan was in sight to address this issue until House and Senate Republicans announced their “Reading RESET” plan this session.
Meanwhile, House Democrats have come forward with a bill requiring school districts and charter schools to employ licensed teachers in preschool, school readiness, school readiness plus, prekindergarten and other early education programs. It would also add early education teachers to the statutory definition of teacher, allowing them to join collective bargaining units.
The Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee, on which I serve, recently conducted a hearing for this bill. I made the point school districts already have the power to require licenses for teachers in such programs and the choice should remain at the local level rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
A colleague of mine addressed the fact this bill could force experienced teachers to find other jobs rather than taking on the time and expense of additional education, which ultimately could make our state’s teacher shortage even worse – particularly in Greater Minnesota.
Let’s move past the misguided approach that slapping more red tape on the problem will fix it. Instead, let’s focus on the approach House Republicans are taking with Reading RESET and its components, including direct measures for:
- Schools to replace the ineffective literacy materials they are currently using and purchase proven Science of Reading curriculum and instructional materials and books
- Teacher training and professional development in the Science of Reading
- Tutoring to help struggling students who have fallen behind in reading
Floor speech
A recent move by the House majority would have rocked the integrity of the House of Representatives as an institution. A heavy debate ensued. It was on my heart and seemed like a good time for me to make my first speech on the House floor.
In the end, we prevailed and spared the House's foundation. Here's the full clip of my speech, including my repentance that, as a kid, I cheated at Monopoly. And I enjoyed it.
Have a good weekend and please let me know how I can help.
Sincerely,
Ben