Tag: Sen. Franzen

A holiday message from your Senator

Season’s Greetings,

I want to take this opportunity to wish you a warm and happy holiday season as we close out 2017 and we welcome the New Year. I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends as I also prepare for the 2018 legislative session.

Reflecting on this past year, I have been inspired by our community advocacy on issues that affect all Minnesotans. I have engaged with many of you on issues such as health care, education, infrastructure, and the environment. I am proud to serve such an active constituency. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen (SD49) Update: December 15, 2017”

An interim update from your Senator

Dear constituents and friends,

We officially finished the 2017 Legislative Session in May, but my work representing you at the Capitol continues year-round. We started off the summer meeting with constituents and businesses around the district. I visited with the Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Edina Chambers of Commerce, as well as meeting with advocacy groups within the district, such as Conservation Minnesota and the Morningside Rotary Club, and local businesses like InstyMeds. Meeting with education community leaders and the students themselves has been energizing to plan future progress in education policy. As the summer wrapped up, we headed in to the busy fall season with a successful town hall that brought together constituents and legislators alike to discuss issues important to the community. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: November 22, 2017”

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

We are short of two weeks remaining in the 2017 legislative session and time for reaching compromise on a state budget for the biennium is running out. Below I outline the latest on taxes, education, the environment, and healthcare. I am hopeful we will reach agreement on a sensible tax bill that balances relief to Minnesotans and business owners. I am also optimistic on funding for education and healthcare priorities. I look forward to finishing our work on time by the adjournment date of May 22nd. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: May 5, 2017”

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

With just three weeks left in the 2017 Session, Senate and House Republicans released budget numbers on April 28 that move more than $200 million further away from Governor Dayton’s budget. Instead of using the current budget forecast, they use budget numbers from last year and argue their numbers are budget increases. This type of accounting does not add up and is a step backwards in reaching an honest conclusion to the legislative session.

These budget targets and tax cut spending proposals are extremely disappointing. This budget takes us dangerously close to bringing the state back into decades of budget deficits. In light of the $1.6 billion surplus (less if you count inflation), the proposed cuts to many state budgets will affect the ability to care for vulnerable Minnesotans and supporting our schools. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: April 28, 2017”

A weekly message from your Senator

Dear Constituents and Friends,

We are five weeks away from adjourning from the 2017 Legislative Session. Conference committee members have been appointed and we are now waiting for them to meet and find compromise in the differences between the House and the Senate on bills and the budget for the state. State commissioners are involved in the budget negotiations with the conference committees this week. I fully support Governor Dayton’s request that the House and Senate set joint conference committee targets no later than Friday, April 28. That gives conferees two weeks after the Legislature returned from the Easter/Passover break and leaves more than three weeks to negotiate the details of the omnibus budgets before the May 22 adjournment date. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: April 21, 2017”