Week of February 26 – March 2
February forecast provides for cautionary optimism
Minnesota Management and Budget released the state’s February budget forecast this week, the day after US News and World Report named us the second best state in the nation. The forecast projected a positive balance of $329 million for the current biennium. It’s smaller than we had hoped, but still a good sign.
Exercising caution will be important as we decide on our supplemental budget this year. There are many things that must be taken care of this session. Public employees still have not had their negotiated raises approved by the legislature, and we need to make our schools safer.
Minnesota’s economic condition is durable, growing, and steady. Unemployment, which is under the national rate, looks like it won’t be going up anytime soon. Jobs, impressively, are being added at the same rate of the rest of the nation.
You can check out some of my additional thoughts via video by clicking HERE.
Bill to require government class for high-schoolers is back for round two
On Thursday, the Senate Education Policy Committee heard SF 1061 for the second time, which would require a course in government for all Minnesota high school students in 11th or 12th grade. You may remember that this was heard last year, and since then the bill has gone through many technical changes.
Between changes to credit requirements and effective dates, I have learned that there is a lot more that goes into making a bill become a law than just an idea. Details must be figured out to avoid unintended consequences, and getting into the weeds is often necessary. As the chief author, these duties fell to me. I am pleased to say that I think we have made progress, and I am optimistic that we can get this done during the 2018 session.
The start of Article 13 of our state constitution reads: “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.” If we are to truly meet this responsibility and safeguard our republic, every Minnesotan should know the fundamentals of government.
Preventing sexual trafficking and exploitation of our youth
As some of you may know, I am a coauthor on a bill to increase the education of our youth on the prevention of sexual exploitation. This effort is being spearheaded by an organization called Girls United MN, which was founded by a junior at Hopkins High School named Jessica Melnik.
On Tuesday, this bill was heard by the education policy committee and was strongly supported. I was awed by the work that these girls have put into their legislation, and am optimistic that this bill, SF 2465, will become law. Few things can bring a civics teacher more joy than seeing young people take charge of their own future through government.
Lots of Constituents at the Capitol
Had a blast on Wednesday showing an Eden Prairie government class around the capitol. Giving tours like these has to be one of my favorite things about being here.
Ran into former student Julia Moseman interning in the house this week. It was a fantastic coincidence.
I also found out that another former student, Erik Olson, is one of the senate pages this session. He’s a lot of fun to spend floor session with.
Wednesday was Music Therapy day on the hill, and I got the chance to meet again with some incredibly thoughtful and hardworking constituents who are using music to improve peoples’ lives.
I got to spend Tuesday being shadowed by Jacob Olson, a former student who is currently a senior at Eden Prairie High School. It was great seeing him again.
Tuesday was also Pharmacists’ day on the hill, and I got to have a great meeting with some constituents to learn about their legislative priorities.
Monday was Girl Scout day on the hill, and I was visited by some awesome constituents. I really hope they decide to stick with such a great program all the way through high school.