Compromise sends omnibus children’s bill to next committee stop

If a good compromise is when both parties are dissatisfied, then the House Children and Families Finance and Policy accomplished that goal.

By approving the delete-all amendment to HF2436 Thursday, the committee accomplished a compromise.

The bill was sent to the House Ways and Means Committee after it was amended, again and again and again.

“It has been a trying couple of days,” said Rep. Nolan West (R-Blaine), the bill sponsor and a committee co-chair. “This bill could be better. It could be worse. I wish the bill did more particularly to lower the cost of child care but there's only so much we could do in such a short time.”

Added Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthun (DFL-Eden Prairie), a committee co-chair: “I think that we have reached an acceptable compromise.”

[MORE: $2.14 billion funding bill aims to boost child welfare, early childhood programs]

Besides the four amendments that were approved, six amendments failed and five were withdrawn.

[MORE: View the spreadsheet]

“Obviously, this is not the bill that I think either side would have written by themselves, but it is one that I'm comfortable voting for,” said Rep. Nathan Coulter (DFL-Bloomington).

That sentiment was felt throughout the room.

“I think there is wins and losses for everybody,” said Rep. Nathan Nelson (R-Hinckley). “At the end of the day I think all of us have a little bit of heartburn voting for it, but I think overall there are a lot of good things to vote for as well.”