It’s Halftime at the 2019 Legislature
We are now entering the third month of the 2019 Legislative Session, and as the first committee deadline approaches things will really begin to move quickly as we work to create a budget. A budget funding essential programs and services over the next two years is the most critical work my colleagues and I will do this year.
On February 28, we received the updated February Forecast from Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), which gave us a clear picture of the state’s fiscal outlook. According to MMB, the state has a positive balance of just over $1 billion. However, since the November forecast, that balance has decreased by $492 million. Now, we must find the right balance between making smart investments without threatening budget stability as we look beyond 2020. More information regarding the State’s budget can be found here.
Before the MMB forecast, Governor Walz released a budget proposal outlining his priorities. His proposal included historic investments in education, increasing access and reducing the costs of health care, stronger support for local governments, and new funding for our state’s transportation network. This is only a starting point and now must be revised with the updated forecast numbers. While the governor’s budget will change, we must continue to focus on the issues that are affecting working Minnesotans like education, health care, and infrastructure.
Governor Walz also released an ambitious $1.27 billion capital investment bill. These are public projects that would receive state funding through general obligation bonds, like improvements to our colleges and universities, infrastructure projects, and other public works upgrades for communities across the state. This bill included a priority for our area worthy of state support.
The bill includes needed improvements to the National Sports Center. The Governor has included $500,000 in asset preservation, and $2.5 million for moving a maintenance building on the complex. By moving the building, land will become available for new development adjacent to the site, increasing the NSC’s ability to be a premier facility for local, state, and national level events.
One of my biggest priorities at the Senate is addressing infrastructure needs in our community. I am carrying legislation to address four major roads that need work. The first, is to widen Highway 10 to three lanes from Hanson Blvd. to Round Lake Blvd. This would help reduce congestion and meet the growing demand being placed on this corridor. The second, is to improve access to Highway 610 from East River Road. The third, is to address major concerns for safety and traffic flow along Highways 65 and 47. These are some of the most dangerous roads in the state, and it is the state’s duty to make improvements necessary to reduce accidents and improve safety features for drivers and pedestrians.
In addition to the work I am doing in committee at the Senate, I have taken on a new role responsible for over $1.4 billion in education funding. I have been elected Chair of the Legislative Permanent School Fund Commission. Our duty on this Commission is to advise the Department of Natural Resources and the school trust lands director on the management of permanent school fund land, and to review legislation affecting permanent school fund land. I look forward to doing this important bipartisan work with my colleagues.
Student Visit
This week I had the pleasure to meet with some exceptional college students. They were at the Capitol lobbying their Legislators for facility upgrades at their University. It’s always encouraging to see young people engaged in the political process.
If you have any questions or wish to unsubscribe from this Newsletter please feel free to contact my office at 651-296-2556 or by email at sen.jerry.newton@senate.mn.
Thank you and have a great weekend,
Jerry Newton
State Senator
District 37