Friends and neighbors,
The new legislative session will begin next week and the agenda will be busy since this is the state budget year.
We will also consider more forceful ways to encourage the governor to work with the legislature on the state’s response to Covid. For months, we have made a compelling case that the emergency portion of the pandemic is over and it is time to get back to the normal balance of government Most importantly, Minnesotans need all of their rights to be respected. Never before has a governor taken such extended central micromanaging power.
Doing so will not jeopardize our response to Covid. But it will give Minnesotans much more influence and a much greater say in their lives and business.
When the new session begins I will once again chair the Senate committee that handles state government finance and policy as well as election issues. I have had the honor of chairing this committee for the last four years, and I am excited to once again be given this responsibility.
The size of state government and our executive branch have both ballooned beyond understanding. With a projected deficit of a little more than $1 billion for the next budget cycle, government has a responsibility to tighten its belt.
When we reconvene in January, I will expect every state government agency to go through their budget with a fine-tooth comb to find savings and close the deficit. That is the standard that Minnesotans are facing, and that is the standard we will hold state government to as well. It is unnecessary to raise taxes or fees at any level of government after the tremendous burdens Minnesotans have had to face.
I have a number of other committee assignments. I will once again serve as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees the entire budget and must sign off on all bills that appropriate money.
In addition, I am taking on three other committee assignments. I am returning to the Transportation Committee, will be a new member of the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, and serve as vice-chair of the once-every-ten-years Redistricting Committee.
Each of these committees plays an important role. I have spent years working to deliver important road and bridge projects, such as the Highway 169 freeway conversion in Elk River and the I-94 expansion between St. Michael and Albertville. I am eager to use this position on the Transportation Committee to continue to bring road improvements to our area and for our state.
The Judiciary and Public Safety Committee is one that handles topics pertaining to police and first responders, the safety of our communities, the courts, and Second Amendment rights.
The Redistricting Committee handles redrawing the state’s legislative boundaries which is a task that must be done every ten years after the census. These boundaries impact congressional and legislative district boundaries and fulfill the constitutional right to equal representation in your government. The population shifts, so in order to keep equal representation, boundaries must shift.
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please continue to contact me at sen.mary.kiffmeyer@senate.mn or call me at 651-296-5655. It matters to me.
I hope we have a much better New Year!
Sincerely,