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Stier




Legislative Update

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Friends,

Last Wednesday, the Minnesota House voted on a bill to cover a $12.6 million budget shortfall in the Department of Corrections (DOC) for 2023. I reviewed this bill in committee and didn’t like what I saw. I asked several questions and didn’t like the answers I got. So when it came to the House floor, I voted no.

The DOC overspent its 2023 budget by more than $12 million, and now that money is being taken from the Public Safety budget for 2025-2026. That’s not sustainable. What happens if they overspend by $50 million next year?

I’ve asked for the 2024 numbers but haven’t received them yet. The DOC says the shortfall was due to employee wages and overtime. But if they were having recruitment and retention issues, like we heard last year, there should have been vacant positions, which usually means lower payroll, not higher. Maybe my math is off, but I’m going to keep digging.

Another thing I’m asking: Did any other agency come in under budget? If so, could we shift money to cover the shortfall instead of raiding future public safety funds? Especially since training programs are already underfunded as it is.

Around here, it might look like we’re not doing much, just hearing the occasional bill. But behind the scenes, it’s full steam ahead. Conference committees are negotiating, leadership is hashing out deals, and members are working on getting their bills into the final omnibus packages.

There’s also a lot of focus on looking ahead and a potential special session. Members are already writing bills and trying to build bipartisan support. That’s easier said than done, especially with two issues currently splitting the Legislature:


* The Education Omnibus Bill, which includes unemployment insurance for seasonal school staff. This would put an enormous strain on school budgets. The state simply can’t afford it.
* Free health care for undocumented immigrants in the Health and Human Services bill. Again, we’re facing a massive deficit - this is not something Minnesota taxpayers can afford.

Both are deal-breakers for many of us. And while no one wants to hear the words “special session,” at some point you have to draw a line. I’m willing to dig in and work toward a real solution and find areas to compromise. But if “compromise” means everyday Minnesotans get stuck with the bill again, I’ll continue to push back.

While my work in St. Paul has kept me from being in the district as much as I’d like, I’m always available by phone or email. And if something urgent comes up in 22B, I’ll be there. Period.

Navigating life at the Capitol isn’t easy. Trust is hard to build, and it doesn’t exactly flow freely around here. I’ve met some great people with good hearts and common sense, but I’ve also heard some ideas so far off the rails I’m not sure what planet they came from.

I do my best to keep an open mind, but when it goes against common sense, I have to stand my ground. I look forward to spending more time back home where people know a handshake still means something, and looking out for your neighbor is just what you do.

That’s the kind of Minnesota we need to get back to and that’s the kind of Minnesota I’m working towards.

Sincerely,

Terry Stier






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