Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Legislative Session closed today but it is not the end. There will be a special session to bring the budgets together and signed into law. Speaker Hortman put it perfectly when she said today at the press conference announcing budgets and special session, “I would say that you aren’t driving the same car or talking on the same phone as in 1973, and it may be time to recognize that you don’t need the same legislative calendar as 1973. None of us really relish the once every 30 days legislative sessions, but we are not doing the same work as the legislature was when we set our 120-day legislative calendar. That is a reform issue for another day.”
According to the Minnesota State Constitution, “The legislature shall meet at the seat of government in regular session in each biennium at the times prescribed by law for not exceeding a total of 120 legislative days. The legislature shall not meet in regular session, nor in any adjournment thereof, after the first Monday following the third Saturday in May of any year. After meeting at a time prescribed by law, the legislature may adjourn to another time. “Legislative day” shall be defined by law. A special session of the legislature may be called by the governor on extraordinary occasions. Neither house during a session of the legislature shall adjourn for more than three days (Sundays excepted) nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be assembled without the consent of the other house.”
This has been the pattern of our legislature for years and began when Minnesota had a population around 1 million people. Today we have over 5.6 Million people residing in our great State. I think it is time we bring our State Legislative process into the times that reflect the ongoing changes and needs of Minnesota.
While there is more work to be done, having just received a budget this morning we will need to finish the full work of the State and have deadlines for that listed below in bold. Mean while, this is what was passed today on the Senate floor, the last day, according to our constitution, of the regular session.
SF958 CCR—Westrom: Omnibus agriculture and broadband finance bill
SF193 CCR—Benson: Psychology interjurisdictional compact (PSYPACT) creation
HF2360—Anderson: Department of Corrections claim settlement provided, andmoney appropriated
HF2128 CCR—Benson: Omnibus health and human services policy and finance bill
This is language from the house and senate that was close to matching or could be agreed to as same and similar. We still have to set the budget and work within our means to assure services continue for that that need it. I was on the conference committee and participated in a process that set bickering aside and got the work done.
HF164 CCR—Rarick:Energy Conservation and Optimization Act of 2021 established.
I am a Co Author of the Senate Companion Bill SF 227 and I am proud of the Bi-Partisan work to get this done. This bill takes Minnesota in the right direction to improve our energy for all Minnesotans. It reorganizes and adds new language to the statute governing the Conservation Improvement Program (CIP), which for almost 40 years has required electric and gas utilities to invest in energy conservation measures that save energy at a lower cost than purchasing an additional unit of energy for consumption.
HF1952 CCR—Kiffmeyer: Omnibus state government finance bill
HF 809—Clausen: Identity theft crime technical change made
We still have major budget bills that need to be worked on and the work will continue. Right now our timeline is this:
May 28th: Spreadsheet for omnibus bills done by 5pm.
June 4th: Language for omnibus bills prepared by this date.
June 14th: Expected day of special session being called to finish budget work.
I was also proud to be a Co-author on a bill introduced today that I hope to see movement on as we move forward. I recently released this statement about what has become known as the Page amendment, after Supreme Court Justice Alan Page:
“A civil right to quality public education both raises and levels out the public education system for all Minnesotan children. The Page Amendment will ensure that education is indeed the great equalizer that it is meant to be. As today marks the anniversary of Brown Versus Board of Education it is important that we never forget that every child has a right to education. All means All. I am excited to work with families, teachers and communities to define quality public education. Minnesotans are ready to have this conversation and address the education gaps. Better outcomes for Minnesota children are better outcomes for the entire state.”
I will continue advocating for issues important to our district and all Minnesotans and ensure our health and human services bill protects all of those we need to protect and serve. You have asked me to set aside the politics and work in a common sense and pragmatic way. After all isn’t this what we should be about? Keep in touch and I’ll do my best as always to keep you informed.
Sincerely,
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Senator John Hoffman
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call my office at 651-296-4154 or by e-mail at jhoffman@senate.mn