As the DFL candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 33A, I would like to respond to my opponent’s opinions that were printed in the June 28, 2018, Lakeshore Weekly News.
The 2018 session of the Minnesota Legislature was a failure. We paid our representatives well in salary, stipends, pensions and/or benefits, and they failed us. It is time for a change.
Why did the Legislature fail? Because of closed-door meetings, back-room deals and legislation bundled together (against state law) and presented with less than adequate time for public review. In fact, our elected officials did not have time to read the proposed legislation before they could vote. This is not democracy. This is elected officials pandering to their donors. As a result, the needs of most Minnesotans were neglected in specific ways:
The tax bill failed to go forward. Remember, we needed the tax changes in Minnesota because of changes to the federal income tax law, changes that make state income taxes more complicated and expensive for many Minnesotans.
I suggest we create a committee of experts from both parties who hold open meetings and present a bipartisan agreement on a one-issue bill to the governor — a bill with no tax breaks for special interests. The Minnesota Legislature knows how to create committees of experts from both parties. They know how to submit one-issue bills. They did it for the pension bill, and it worked. The pensions are protected for now.
Education was short-changed. Education is the No. 1 priority for the Minnesota Legislature. Our educators have been very clear about what our schools need, and we need to address their concerns. We need to listen to our local school boards, leaders and parents and find solutions. Once again, the Legislature failed to listen and find solutions. I might add that my opponent did find the time to propose legislation to arm teachers — a bad idea — an idea I will not support and an idea not supported by educators.
Infrastructure omnibus bill was approved. The bonding bill invests in essential infrastructure projects and will create good-paying jobs throughout Minnesota. Public safety is a priority. Zero funding of public transportation does not make sense, people need transportation to work and prosper. The business sector supports public transportation.
Health-care problems were ignored. Health care never made it to discussion. The growing opioid epidemic was not addressed in the House. The abuses in care facilities for elderly and disabled Minnesotans were not addressed. Health-care costs were not addressed. We now face a situation where Minnesotans will face double-digit premium increases and reduced benefits. There are solutions that could have been brought forward. Now, everyone will suffer.
Blaming the other party is not the solution. We expect more from the people we elect. The answer is simple; propose one-issue legislative bills discussed in bipartisan committees with open meetings and hold our elected officials accountable. We will all suffer because tax changes and health care solutions did not get bipartisan open discussion. We deserve better.
Norrie Thomas
Lakeshore Weekly, July 11, 2018