Dear neighbors,
The House majority released their budget framework earlier this week. Our proposal closes the $627 million deficit and balances the budget into the future. Minnesota has faced a budget deficit for eight out of the last ten years and it’s time to end the cycle of deficits and irresponsible budgeting. We can do this using new revenue, spending cuts, and reform.
The new proposal also pays back the $854 million owed to Minnesota schools due to borrowing by the previous legislature. Paying back the school shift is a key priority and one that I will continue to support.
The budget also invests an additional $700 million in education, from early childhood through post-secondary. This funding will allow legislators to pursue new education initiatives meant to better prepare our kids for the future.
I’m excited to report that my bill, H.F. 1257, has been incorporated into the omnibus Education bill. This legislation changes the current requirements for teachers who need to pass a basic skills test as they pursue their licensure. This legislation would establish an advisory task force to make recommendations to the Board of Teaching, the education commissioner, and the legislature regarding future requirements for teachers’ basic skills testing and evaluation. It’s important that our teachers are evaluated in a fair and honest way that members of the education community can support.
This session I am serving on the Energy Policy Committee, and the Energy omnibus bill is moving through the legislature. The bill has passed two committees, Energy and Commerce, and will be headed to the House floor for a vote in the coming weeks. There are several renewable energy initiatives in this bill to help move our state into the future. One of these measures requires investor utilities, such as Xcel, to incorporate a 4% solar power standard by 2025. Through this bill we are taking small steps toward a more sustainable future in Minnesota.
Please join Rep. Jason Isaacson and me, along with Majority leader Erin Murphy, for a town hall meeting this Tuesday:
Tuesday, March 26
Town Hall Meeting
MAPE Headquarters, 3460 Lexington Ave N, Shoreview, MN 55126
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Please feel free to contact me with your input on any legislative issue. I can be reached by phone at (651) 296-0141 or by email at rep.barb.yarusso@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Barb Yarusso
State Representative