Legislative UpdateFriends and Neighbors, It’s been a very hectic last two weeks as committees rush to finish important business before the legislative deadlines. This Friday marks the third and final deadline when all major finance bills must be moved through their respective committees. In typical years, this would mean the majority party members meet to discuss what they want to include in their bill. However, with the 67-67 tie, both parties must meet and agree upon what priorities should and should not be included. As you can imagine, Republicans and Democrats don’t see eye to eye, and so the only reasonable approach to these negotiations is finding a compromise, which is easier said than done. This has led to many long nights and working over the weekend until agreements could be reached. Still, not all these bills are finalized. A lot can still change as these bills progress, more deals are made, and amendments are added. During these negotiations, typical business is still going on as well. For me, this included advocating for common-sense solutions to teacher pensions and working in my role as a member of the Legislative Audit Commission. Read on to hear more. Addressing Educator Pensions with Responsible, Long-Term ReformsOne of the most important ways we can support Minnesota’s public education system is by ensuring our educators have access to fair, sustainable retirement options. For too long, legislative action on teacher pensions has been delayed or deprioritized, even when the state had the resources to act. Last year’s record $18 billion surplus was a missed opportunity to address longstanding concerns in our pension systems. With a far more constrained budget outlook ahead, lawmakers must act responsibly and creatively to improve retirement benefits without putting further strain on taxpayers or local school budgets. Several bills introduced this session propose reasonable, cost-conscious options to improve teacher pensions: - House File 2318 (62/30 Pension): This bill would allow educators to retire at age 62 with 30 years of service without penalty. It’s estimated to cost approximately 1% of salary and would be funded through a modest increase in employer contributions. Importantly, this reform is significantly more affordable than the broader 60/30 proposal.
- House File 2329 (Expanded Early Retirement Option): This legislation would expand the current early retirement provisions to include educators age 60 with 30 years of service, offering more flexibility for those planning retirement. To keep costs down, the plan includes a three-year delay in cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), aligning with existing standards.
When compared to the other party’s plan, which costs $245 million annually, these reforms reflect a balanced approach—one that respects the long-term viability of the pension fund while offering educators fair retirement options that align with their years of service, without dramatically increasing state spending while we face a $6 billion deficit. Accountability on the Green Line: Legislative Oversight in ActionAs a member of the Legislative Audit Commission, I’ve long believed that effective oversight is key to ensuring Minnesotans get the transparency and results they deserve, especially when it comes to massive public projects like the Green Line extension. During our recent commission hearing, we reviewed troubling findings from the Office of the Legislative Auditor regarding the Metropolitan Council’s management of the Southwest Light Rail Transit project. These findings confirm what many of us have suspected for some time: this project has suffered from serious internal control weaknesses, poor oversight, and questionable spending. The audit revealed several concerning issues: - The Met Council failed to establish a consistent standard for reviewing change order costs, leading to uncertainty and inefficiency in contract negotiations.
- There was a lack of required monitoring and documentation related to disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs), including failures to comply with both federal and internal policies.
- The contractor, Lunda/C.S. McCrossan, inaccurately reported DBE usage, and the Met Council lacked controls to catch those discrepancies.
- Overpayments occurred related to the disposal of contaminated soils, and security lapses were found at project laydown areas—both posing risks to public funds and safety.
These findings aren’t just technical oversights—they reflect a broader pattern of mismanagement that must be addressed before any further expansion or public transit spending moves forward. I will continue to demand stronger accountability measures, more rigorous financial controls, and reforms that ensure taxpayer dollars are spent with care and integrity. As this week comes to a close, the Legislature will be taking a brief pause from this Friday until April 21. This is because of the many Christian Holidays that fall during this week as well as the Jewish Passover. When we get back on the 21st, it will be full steam ahead, but I’ll keep you updated on key happenings as we push to the end of session. Have a great rest of your week! |