I am grateful, humbled, and challenged to be back in St. Paul representing our community for the 2021 Legislative Session. We have started this session strong, with many priorities to keep our state strong and growing. Between COVID-19 and a $1.3 billion budget deficit, we have our work cut out for us.
Serving as Chairman I chair the committee that oversees our disability community. One of my first actions this Session was to ensure funding meant for this well-deserving community was not redistributed due to a law loophole. The Jensen Settlement resulted from the state allowing mistreatment of people with disabilities. After $3.5 million, 10 years and a lot of reform this case resulted in $613,000 being released by the courts to assist people with disabilities. The loophole in the law meant the money would vanish into the general fund rather than assisting those it was intended for.
With a tight timeline, I am teaming up with Senator John Hoffman (D–Champlin) to redirect the funds and create new opportunities for people with disabilities through innovation grants.
Re-opening Minnesota Businesses across Minnesota have made incredible sacrifices to remain open, pay employees, and navigate the uncertain waters of the pandemic. One of the first bills introduced this year says that businesses with solid safety plans in place. This bill would give businesses the flexibility to open as long as those precautions are in place. It is my view that if there are restrictions and shutdowns to be made that these should be done on a county-by-county and city-by-city basis in conjunction with locally elected officials and local public health.
Many of us have also been working to get children back in schools safely. The goal is to ensure each student has a great education regardless of circumstance, location, or technological capabilities. This is a decision that should remain with each school district as they thoughtfully engage with parents, teachers, students and CDC to make prudent decisions. With the Governor having control over shutting down schools throughout the state by executive order, these local decision-makers have been left out of the discussion. They are the ones who know what is best for their students, and really should be the ones making school and sports decisions.
Nursing homes, assisted living sites, hospitals and prisons should well be the purview of the state and governor, in consultation with experts, state-elected officials and the public.
Protecting Seniors Seniors have been impacted the most by the COVID-19 pandemic and should be our top priority when it comes to vaccinations. The vaccine rollout system has been problematic and was not easily accessible for elderly Minnesotans. Seniors should be able to go to the doctor, clinic, or pharmacies in their own communities.
Budget On Tuesday, Governor Walz revealed his two-year budget plan for Minnesota. Our state is currently facing a $1.3 billion deficit and a very soft economy, to say the least. His proposed budget includes raising taxes by nearly $2 billion and a $4 billion increase in state government spending. I know Minnesotans have been tightening their belts since the start of the pandemic. Perhaps it is time for the state to also live within its means, as it takes a lesson from us. I believe that there can be better focus, efficiencies and economies within government agency budgets, which needs to be explored before Minnesota puts any more burden onto you.
I look forward to working with the Governor and the rest of the legislature to come up with a budget that meets the essential needs Minnesota and helps our economy grow, one family, one employee and one business at a time.
Here are my comments to the committee I chair on how I suggest we tackle the challenges of the Human Services budget. Listen and offer me any thoughts.
A Senate resolution It has been a very hard year, capped by much tension over the election, civil unrest, fear, tension and anger. This is the Senate Resolution I co-authored with Senator John Hoffman; tell me what you think:
Expressing the sense of the Senate to act as peacemakers. WHEREAS, the current pandemic, election, and violence have caused incredible amounts of pain, anger, tension, and distress at all levels of Minnesota life; and WHEREAS, the opinions and beliefs of Minnesotans vary tremendously on political, spiritual, and personal matters; and WHEREAS, people have a right to hold tremendously varying opinions and beliefs on political, spiritual, and personal matters; and WHEREAS, violence is not persuasive in changing those opinions and beliefs; and WHEREAS, expressing strongly worded comments and social media posts is also not persuasive in changing those opinions and beliefs; and WHEREAS, all people in Minnesota should feel safe in their homes and on the street, including the Governor and his family; and WHEREAS, it is key that elected leaders choose to find common ground and address the many compelling challenges facing the state and its people; and WHEREAS, people like Mother Theresa and many others have exemplified the practical application of Jesus’ admonition of “blessed are the peacemakers”; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that we as a group of Minnesota leaders agree to act as peacemakers for the state and focus on what unites us and encourage others in Minnesota to do the same; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we embody the message in President Abraham Lincoln’s words, “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds.” BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we as Minnesota leaders chose to not say everything that could be said but rather lead by example to reduce the pain, anger, tension, and distress at all levels of Minnesota life. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we as Minnesota leaders seek enough areas of agreement and commit to focusing on what is needed to accomplish the tremendous and extremely challenging tasks ahead of us in this legislative session. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare a copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by his signature and that of the Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.
Highway 10 I am celebrating that highway 10 is finally going to be upgraded. Starting this summer, the bridge over the Rum River will be replaced and the intersection at Fairoak and Thurston will be made into an expressway. We are around $35-$40 million short to finish up the Sunfish and Ramsey Blvd bypass. By then the next stoplight will be in Elk River. Then in 2023 there will be a bridge over the train tracks on Highway 47. It will be a terrific challenge for a while, but when the work is done it will be a huge improvement.
As always, I would love to hear from you anytime with your thoughts, concerns, and constructive ideas. In the words of Tiny Tim, “May god bless us, everyone.”
