Hello from the State Capitol,
April 11 was the deadline for any spending proposal to have been approved by a committee in order to receive continued debate during the rest of the 2025 session. This is important as lawmakers must approve a budget before session ends. Nearly all House committees have approved their budget bills (such as public safety or agriculture), and they are expected to receive House floor votes in the coming weeks.
HOUSE AND SENATE BUDGET DIFFERENCES
With a $6 billion deficit projected for our next budget cycle, both the House and Senate are looking at ways to tackle the problem.
As I discussed previously, the House is proposing a reduction in spending. Meanwhile in the Senate, the Democrat majority is looking at raising taxes in the ballpark of $700 million.
You will recall Democrats already raised taxes by $10 billion last session, in addition to wasting an $18 billion surplus and increasing government spending by nearly 40%, decisions that have led us to this projected deficit.
My preference would have been to remove more wasted in government in addition to the attempt to right-size our current spending. Both the House and Senate must approve a new budget before session ends in mid-May.
UNNECESSARY EDUCATION MANDATES HARMING SCHOOLS
K-12 Education funding continues to be a contentious topic between House Republicans and Democrats. As I’ve highlighted in past updates, many school districts are struggling from the 65 mandates approved by legislative Democrats last session and are now being forced to cut teachers and staff in order to keep their heads above water.
Very simply, Republicans want to eliminate mandates and fund students and teachers. Democrats propose continuing their mandates that are not contributing in any way to academic achievement and cutting school funding.
The most recent solution would have sent up to $111 million in new money to schools and teacher pensions by revamping the free school lunch program so families making more than $150,000 a year would pay for their child’s lunch. House Democrats weren’t interested.
Expect more clarity on this topic in the weeks ahead.
NO TOLERANCE FOR CHRISTIANITY
Recently, a cross was displayed outside of the State Capitol in honor of the upcoming Easter holiday. It didn’t stay up very long.
If this had been any other religion’s symbol that had been destroyed or publicly defaced, it would have led nightly newscasts. But it’s a Christian symbol, so it’s been met with a collective yawn.
It is ironic that these criminal and violent acts often come from people who claim to belong to a party of tolerance and tell you that love is love.
Unless you love Jesus, apparently.
Easter is a sacred Christian holiday, and it is incredibly sad that people have nothing better to do than to destroy religious symbols that people hold dear, out of pure hatred.
We have freedom of religion in this country for a reason. No one deserves to be bullied because they support a particular religion. No religious symbols should be destroyed because someone thinks a certain religion is wrong.
Is that really too much to ask?
LOCAL VISITORS
Thanks to all who took the time to attend my town meeting last Saturday! It’s always good to hear from local residents and to learn more about their concerns.
I enjoyed visiting with students from Valor School recently! The group was in St. Paul to tour the State Capitol.
Recently, students from the Woodbury Leadership Academy were in St. Paul taking part in a mock court hearing, including my niece.
Have a good weekend,
Tom