Legislative Update
Congratulations to the Aitkin High School Choir on their stellar performance at the Solo & Ensemble Competition in Crosby on Monday. They brought home a staggering 14 superior ratings and 4 excellent. When evaluating students' performances, judges consider tone quality, intonation, rhythm, balance and blend, technique, musicianship, diction, and other factors. Great work by everyone. Your dedication to musical excellence is admirable.
The House passed the final version of the School Resource Officer bill (HF 3489) on Wednesday afternoon after an 8-minute conference committee meeting the previous day to bring the House and Senate versions of the bill in line with each other. Once the Senate passes the conference committee report, the bill will go to the governor for signing and allow schools across the state to return their resource officers where they are desperately needed. Democrats removed these officers from schools, and, after months of Republican calls for action, the law is finally fixed.
Commerce Committee kicked off the week with a hearing on HF 4182 that will add extra fees onto broadband internet bills. I have been championing affordable rural broadband my entire time in the legislatures. Now after making progress with rural broadband, the Democrats want to increase the costs of rural broadband and slow implementation. I oppose this tax increase.
Minnesota Management and Budget’s February Forecast is out and gives us important insight to the financial outlook of our state. Many headlines are touting the projected $3.7 billion in projected surplus at the end of this fiscal year but the whole picture is much less sunshine and rainbows. Looking ahead to the following budget cycle MMB predicts a 1.5 billion dollar deficit that the next legislature will need to address. The February Forecast also included increases in projected inflation. Minnesotans are hurting every time we pick up groceries or fill our gas tanks, yet Democrats are out celebrating a budget that grew government by 38% on the backs of every Minnesota taxpayer.
We also received the news that Mille Lacs Lake will be catch and release only for walleye fishing. This comes on the heels of a difficult year with little to no ice fishing. The towns and resorts I represent in this area are hurting and I am looking for some additional tax relief and emergency funding. These business owners need our support. I love walleye fishing. But there is also great smallmouth and pike fishing on the lake. Please help support the communities and resort owners and I will keep looking for emergency funds.
This Fish Fry Friday Sacred Heart Church is hosting their Lenten Fish fry. The meal starts at 4:30 and is a great opportunity to share a delicious meal with our neighbors and get to know the members of our community. I look forward to sharing great company this season with all of you across the district.
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