A weekly message from your Senator
Dear Constituents and Friends,
We are back from the legislative break. This past week we had two floor sessions that were mainly procedural. The two committees that I serve on, Taxes and Transportation, heard some bills this week.
In the Taxes Committee, we are still waiting to hear what the supplemental tax bill conformity will look like. Governor Dayton is expected to release the bill language by today. We will take up those provisions and testimony in committee next week. I look forward to delving into the details of the bill and working with my colleagues to find a thorough solution for Minnesotan taxpayers.
In the Transportation Committee, the bill to prohibit the use of handheld cellular phones while driving was heard in the committee and passed along to the Finance Committee. It has received bi-partisan support. We are also still tackling the issues with the Minnesota Licensing and Registration System (MNLARS), the software that manages Minnesotans’ vehicle registrations, titles, and driver’s licenses. We are looking for supplemental funding and working on finding technological solutions. The committee has also heard from business owners who operate deputy registrar offices throughout the state about their issues with this system. (SF 3967)
Lastly, this week brought a lot of different people to the capitol for “Days at the Capitol.” As always, it was a pleasure meeting with many constituents, groups and organizations to talk about issues important to our community and state.
Sincerely,
Melisa
Tick-tock on the tax bill
With five weeks left in the legislative session, legislators still have not seen a tax conformity proposal from the majority in either the House or Senate. Governor Dayton’s plan to cut taxes for 2 million taxpayers and better align state and federal code was released nearly a month ago.
Congress’ massive tax bill passed late in 2017 put Minnesota taxpayers in limbo as they plan their finances. More than 300,000 filers will see an average $200 tax increase next year if the legislature doesn’t attempt to respond to federal changes, but if the state simply copies what the federal government changed word-for-word, more than 870,000 filers will see tax increases averaging $426 next year.
More MNLARS business in committee
The Senate Transportation Committee grappled this week with how the state should pay for costs related to the Minnesota Licensing and Registration System (MNLARS), the software that manages Minnesotans’ vehicle registrations, titles, and driver’s licenses. Since the rollout of MNLARS in July, the system has been plagued with errors that have caused vehicle registration and titling headaches for Minnesotans and caused losses for the business owners who operate deputy registrar offices throughout the state.
Governor Dayton has proposed a $2 fee on most driver and vehicle services transactions that will provide ongoing funding to permanently fix, maintain, and update MNLARS. He has also proposed $10 million go to deputy registrars to reimburse them for costs incurred since July 2017 due to difficulties they have encountered with MNLARS, including overtime costs and lost business. The Governor also proposed $10.76 million to fund the beleaguered public information call center, which provides assistance to Minnesotans having difficulty with driver and vehicle services transactions. (SF 3967)
Hang up and drive
The bill to prohibit the use of handheld cellular phones while driving inched closer to becoming law this week. The Senate Transportation Committee held a quick hearing on the bill, moving it on a unanimous voice vote to the Finance Committee.
This bill prohibits the use of cell phones while driving—in motion, or as part of traffic, including use at stoplights, except when the driver is using a hands-free device. The bill allows a driver to use a cell phone while driving in an emergency situation. Use of navigation systems and listening to music, podcasts or other audio content is still allowed, provided the device is being used in a hands-free mode.
According to The Governor’s Highway Safety Association, 15 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving. (SF 837)
School safety bills take center stage
Legislation to enhance and help schools invest in school safety were the focus of a recent Education Committee meeting. Four bills with bipartisan authors were discussed, with funding for the proposals to be determined later in session.
The current Safe Schools program allows district to invest funds in school resource officers, drug abuse prevention programs (DARE), gang resistance education training, school security, and other crime prevention. Districts may also invest in student and staff safety measures and counseling, social work, and chemical dependency services provided by licensed professionals. Schools may receive up to $36 per student to spend towards safe schools. One there are so many bills increasing the per student amount is because over 90% of Minnesota school districts have reached the $36 per student levy cap and have no additional funds to spend on further safe school programs.
One bill would create a new school facilities improvement program to provide funding to schools to enhance school and student safety, new instructional space construction, facilities improvement, long-term facilities maintenance, and school lease agreements. Districts can levy for some of the funds, and the levy is equalized, which means there would be state funding to help hold down local property taxes. Districts would receive $212 per student each year. (SF2508)
Another bill includes a safe and secure schools provision from the Governor’s supplemental budget. The bill would (based on an amendment discussed):
- Allow districts to issue bonds for public service announcements, emergency communications devices, or other equipment related to violence prevention and facility security.
- Provide all districts and charter schools with an additional $54 per student in FY19 in Safe Schools revenue. School districts and charter would be guaranteed to receive at least $22,500 from the sum of the aid and the existing levy.
- In FY20 and beyond: It would double the Safe Schools Revenue allowance from $36 per pupil to $72 per pupil and create a minimum revenue amount for school districts of $30,000.
- The state equalization aid would help low tax base districts access to this revenue.
- The levy aid must be spent on items identified in the safe schools levy statute, including facility enhancements, costs for school counselors, peace officers, and crime and drug abuse prevention and cybersecurity. (SF2507)
The third bill would allow districts to use long-term facilities maintenance funding, up to $100 per student, for districts to upgrade safety and security of school facilities. The funding would also be available to charter schools. The program would be effective from FY2020-2027. The plans would need to be submitted to the MDE commissioner by December 31, 2019. The levy would be equalized to hold down property taxes for local residents. (SF3243)
The final bill heard by the committee this week increases the amount districts can levy per pupil for safe schools projects. It also allows the safe schools levy increases for intermediate school district members to increase the same percentage amount as it does for school districts. The safe schools levy allows school districts to levy for costs associated with student and staff safety issues. For example, a 50% increase in the levy authority for school districts would result in a 50% increase in the pass-through authority for intermediate district members. (SF3472)
Bonding hearings scheduled
The Senate Bonding Committee this week held its first meeting of session. While committee hearings are welcome news given that Governor Dayton released his proposal roughly 10 weeks ago, there is concern about the process of the bonding bill.
The concerns stem from a bonding bill being introduced or amended with very little time left in the legislative session. The result will be limited public participation and the possibility of controversial provisions being put in the bill, jeopardizing the bill’s viability. Including controversial provisions in the bonding bill puts at risk funding for projects across the state. In recent years such antics have scuttled a bonding bill and jeopardized the passage of another bill.