Sen. Steve Cwodzinski Update: May 12, 2017

Week of May 7th – 13th

Governor Dayton Vetoes Uncompromising Legislation

Friday afternoon Governor Dayton vetoed five pieces of legislation that were solely GOP-designed, without any effort to compromise. Last year, I was disappointed in the partisan division we saw at the end of session, and so it is only more discouraging to see bills sent to the Governor with minimal DFL support (sometimes none at all).

Here are the bills that were vetoes, along with the Governor’s veto letter explaining why:

Still, I am confident that after further negotiation and compromise we can end session on-time. With one week to go, we will all have some tough choices to make.

Celebrating Statehood Day

This Thursday, May 11th, was Minnesota’s birthday. 159 years ago, Minnesota became the 32nd state in the union. This is the only consistent day each year that the capitol chandelier is lit up, and it really is a sight to behold. You can check out my video on the subject over at my Facebook Page.

My legislative assistant, Greg Weiner, and I stopped by the check out the chandelier more than a couple times.

Learning the Impact of Budget Cuts Firsthand

Last Friday, myself and three of my Senate colleagues accepted an offer from a local St. Paul school principal to take a tour of his school, and learn how the current 2017 Education Budget proposal will lead to severe cuts to services at his school, Maxfield Elementary.

Pictured with me above are Senators Susan Kent from Woodbury (left), and Greg Clausen from Apple Valley (middle right), both of whom serve with me on the Education Policy Committee. Principal Ryan Vernosh is standing between Senators Kent and Clausen. Senator Sandy Pappas, who represents the the district Maxfield sits in, is not pictured but attended as well.

Principal Vernosh shared stories about the challenges his students face, including the fact that some 30 percent of the students who attend Maxfield have experienced homelessness this year. The St. Paul Promise Neighborhood School has made leaps and bounds over the past few years, but Vernosh explained to legislators that budget cuts are forthcoming if the current Republican education proposal is passed into law.

“We will have to cut support staff this year. That will impact our ability to connect with essential programs that offer our homeless students the support and stability they need to find academic success. It means the students who need extra support the most – won’t get it. So many of our kids in our school have been dealt an unjust hand, and I refuse to let that define them. That’s why I’m out talking to as many legislators as I can – so they can understand the budgets they’re making have real-world effects,” said Principal Vernosh.

What I was most amazed by was Principal Vernosh’s commitment to building relationships with his students. These days,there is an ever-growing influence of big data, and I worry that the personal side of education is being lost. Seeing how both him and his students would light up when they see each other, it gave me hope. Many of these kids, especially homeless ones, have almost zero consistency in their daily lives. School is the only place where they can really build lasting relationships, and their principal is going the extra mile to ensure that they do. In this last week of session, I am optimistic that our state can do right by Principal Vernosh and his students.

Town Hall Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Saturday May 13th, I will be holding another Town Hall listening session. Be sure to stop by and ask me some questions. I would love to hear from you!

Time: 9 – 10am (but I will be available after!)

Location: Eden Prairie High School (17185 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55346), room 212. Park in the east lot, and the room will be right there after you walk in.