End of Session 2018
Senate Adjourns Sine Die
The state legislature has officially adjourned for the year, and my first biennium as a state senator is completed. Most of the legislation that we worked on this year was wrapped up into a 990-page supplemental budget, and while there are a lot of items in there that I have concerns with, I am incredibly proud to say that one of my top priorities made it into the bill.
Both chambers have signed off on a provision that would require all Minnesota high school students to take a course in American Government during 11th or 12th grade. Regardless of whether Governor Dayton signs or vetoes the larger bill, this is a huge win for our democracy. We have shown that our state is behind this legislation and we will have support for it in the next biennium, if it does not become law this year. I spoke to WCCO’s Jearlyn Steele about this on Sunday evening in the waning hours of session. You can listen to the interview by clicking HERE.
Missed Opportunities
Over that last few months, Minnesotans have been coming down to the capitol to exercise their civic duty on all manner of issues. Gun violence prevention, opioid abuse, distracted driving, and elder abuse have all been major subjects of this legislative session. It is incredibly unfortunate that no legislation on these subjects managed to become law. Minnesotans are demanding action, and I hope to come back next year and see these priorities through.
Focusing on the Positive
While negative headlines dominated the news these past few months, we also passed lots of great legislation to benefit the people of Minnesota. Early in the session, we passed the long overdue contracts for state employees and got them signed by the governor. Just last night, the Senate unanimously passed a pension bill to do right by our state’s current and future retirees. In the months between, many bills were passed off the senate floor with unanimous consent.
We got some good bipartisan things done this year, and that is something to be proud of.
All Eyes on Governor Dayton
Even though the legislature is done for the year, Governor Dayton has two more weeks to decide on all of the bills that have been sent to his desk. Chiefly among these are the supplemental budget, a tax conformity bill, and our biennial bonding bill. Regardless of what happens next, I am incredibly grateful to Governor Mark Dayton for dedicating his life to public service. He has left a lasting impression on our state, as well as myself, and I am proud to have served in a coequal branch of government with him.
Here I am with my fellow “true freshmen” as we celebrate the end of our first biennium together. Serving the people of SD 48 has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life, and I look forward to seeing what the next biennium brings.