Category: SD48

House, Senate must create a budget that reflects priorities of Minnesotans

Perhaps the most important role of the Legislature is the role it plays in creating a state budget. We must create a budget covering areas from education to transportation, human services to natural resources, and many other issues that make a daily impact on the lives of Minnesotans.

The budget is the biggest item on the agenda for my colleagues in both the Senate and the House this year. Entering the third month of the 2019 Legislative Session, we have a clearer picture of our state’s economic outlook with the updated February Forecast we received on Feb. 28.

According to the Minnesota Management and Budget office, the state has a positive budget balance of just over $1 billion, a balance that has decreased $492 million since November. On the one hand, our economy continues to do well; but on the other hand, this decrease, and the potential for a future economic downturn, is concerning. It’s up to us to balance the need for forward-thinking investment in our priorities and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. We cannot jeopardize the long-term health of the state’s finances with short-term decisions.

View the complete March 11 commentary by Sen. Steve Cwodzinski on The Eden Prairie News website here.

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: March 13, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I’m grateful for the constituents who continue to come to the State Capitol to advocate for issues they are passionate about. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit with Aline and Marcia, two school psychologists in our community.

I was honored to have Eden Prairie School Superintendent Dr. Josh Swanson testify in favor of HF 514, my bill to increase investments in school safety. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: March 13, 2019”

Minnesota Angel Investment Tax Credit Bill Introduced

From the March 12 morning take:

A coalition of supporters of the Angel Investment Tax Credit (AITC) will submit a letter to Sen. Paul Anderson and Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn this morning to the House Jobs Committee at 8 a.m. VERBATIM: “The AITC, which was first available in 2010 but expired at the end of 2017, resulted in more than $421 million in private investment in Minnesota startup and emerging companies during that time. Data also shows that investment in startup or early stage companies was 80 percent higher, approximately $280 million, in the eight years the Angel Credit was in effect than it was the eight years prior. The AITC is a useful tool for entrepreneurs from all over the state and from many different industries. From 2015-2017, companies owned or managed by women or minorities received more than $30 million in investment through the credit. The clean technology industry received nearly $13 million during the same time frame. In 2017 alone, companies in Greater Minnesota were the recipients of almost $10 million of investment via the credit, one of the highest totals in the history of the program.”  

LETTER: http://bit.ly/2VVQDmv

March 8 Call of the Senate Podcast Episode: Sen. Steve Cwodzinsin

Their newest podcast episode was released this morning featuring Senator Steve Cwodzinski. In his 31 years as an American Government teacher in Eden Prairie, Senator Steve Cwodzinski never once regretted a Monday or looked forward to a Friday. He brings the same joy and passion he had as a teacher in serving as a State Senator and continues the fight for students in working to close the achievement gap. Hear more about his passion for service in this episode of Mr. Cwodzinski goes to St. Paul, wait, we mean, Call of the Senate.

Here are the many ways you can tune in and listen to Senator Cwodzinski and the others who have been on so far:

SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/callofthesenate

Buzzsprout: http://callofthesenate.buzzsprout.com

Senate DFL website: https://senatedfl.mn/callofthesenate

Search for “Call of the Senate” on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play

HF 1, the “Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act,” to receive first House public hearing Thursday

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Thursday morning, the House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division will hold a public hearing on HF 1, the “Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act.” Authored by Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL – Eden Prairie), HF 1 includes new investments for early childhood education and development, child care, prenatal care, and home visiting. The committee’s discussion will focus on the early care and development component of the bill, including the creation of a “Great Start Fund.” This fund will increase the availability of learning scholarships focused on children from birth to age 3, addressing both Minnesota’s opportunity gap and high child care costs.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL – Saint Paul) will meet at 8:00 a.m. in Room 120 of the Minnesota State Capitol.

WHAT: Committee hearing on HF 1, the “Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act”

WHO: Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL – Eden Prairie), bill author; Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL – Saint Paul), committee chair; Karla Smith, a parent whose family has benefited from early learning scholarships; Kiarra Zackery, a parent who has benefited from the state Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP); Shareece Gabriel, Child Care Development Director, YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities

WHEN: 8:00 AM, Thursday, March 7, 2019

WHERE: Room 120, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: March 1, 2019

Week of February 25th – March 1st

Exercising Responsible Budgeting

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The February Economic Forecast was delivered this past Thursday. While we still have an over $1 billion positive balance in the short term, it also projects a structural deficit of $11 million in the upcoming years.

This presents an important opportunity to look at where state spending is needed most. Our schools are chronically underfunded, and given the recent forecast, this session needs to be about strengthening our schools for years to come.

Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: March 1, 2019”

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: February 28, 2019

This week, several bills I authored received public hearings in House Committees. On Monday, the Education Policy Committee heard HF 1005 that attempts to improve the communication between parents and those in the schools who provide special education services. Tuesday, the Higher Education Committee heard HF 550, which would create a new student loan counseling strategy. Today, the Early Childhood Committee held a hearing on HF 1238 to make some changes to our child care assistance programs, including delivering services to families experiencing homelessness.

Here’s more news from the Capitol:

Education Field Hearing in Windom

My colleagues and I recognize that not everyone is able to make to the Capitol to share thoughts on various issues, so many of our committees are holding field hearings throughout the state this session. Last week, the House Education Finance Division traveled to Windom in southwestern Minnesota. We were able to tour their combined middle and high school and got to check out some of their unique programming opportunities for students, including hydroponic towers where they grow lettuce for the cafeteria, and their combined welding, metals, and small engine shop. These give students hands-on experience which can open their eyes to potential career opportunities. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: February 28, 2019”

House DFLers Announce “Health and Safety in Our Schools Day” on March 1

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – House Education Policy Chair Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins) today is announcing a new event taking place at the Capitol this Friday, March 1 called “Health and Safety in Our Schools Day.” The event is a House DFL Majority initiative inspired by students, parents, and public education advocates.

What, When, Where, Who

In conjunction with “Health and Safety in Our Schools Day,” the Education Policy Committee will meet in Room 5 of the State Office Building Friday, March 1 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to advance a conversation with our fellow Minnesotans about this important priority. During this public hearing, students, parents, educators, administrators, advocates, and House DFLers will share their hopes, dreams, and challenges as it relates to health and safety in our schools. Members of the press and members of the public are invited to attend and participate.

“In the Minnesota House, we are committed to ensuring that students, educators, employees, administrators, and members of the public are healthy and safe while in school to the fullest extent possible,” said Rep. Youakim. “This is a priority for the House DFL Majority and should be for all elected officials, regardless of political party.” Continue reading “House DFLers Announce “Health and Safety in Our Schools Day” on March 1”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: February 22, 2019

Week of February 18th – 22nd

Building a more educated citizenry

On Monday I presented my bill for a requirement for high school students to take a Civics class to graduate. It is of utmost importance that our children are taught about civic virtue and political efficacy. An informed citizenry is vital to the continued success of our state, and is also required by Article 13 of the state constitution:

“The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it is the duty of the legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public schools.”

Thank you to Eden Prairie High School students Kendra Fischer and Sydney Lewis for testifying in support of this legislation.

Continue reading “Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: February 22, 2019”