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Legislative News and Views - Rep. John Persell (DFL)

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Legislative Update - May 10, 2019

Friday, May 10, 2019

Dear neighbors,

I’m happy to report that there’s been lots of progress since my last legislative update. In the House, we approved our entire state budget for the next two years. We are now working with members of the Senate to negotiate a final budget.

Now that the House and Senate have both passed their budgets, members from each chamber will be meeting in conference committees to settle differences between the two proposals. I’m happy to be one of five House members on the Environment and Natural Resources Conference Committee. I’m optimistic that we can compromise and deliver a budget that works for Northern Minnesota and strengthens our entire state. 

E-12 Education

The E-12 education budget was the first budget bill passed this session. This budget is important because it increases per-pupil funding by three percent in 2020 and another two percent in 2021. This would really help school districts in our area that are facing budget deficits. Many of these communities are considering raising operating levies to make up for these deficits, so our budget would also cut costs for local taxpayers.

The Senate E-12 education budget increases per-pupil funding by half of one percent in the first year and the second. Here’s how much funding for schools in the area would increase compared to current levels under each budget:

School District

House Budget – 2020

Senate Budget – 2020

House Budget – 2021

Senate Budget – 2021

Bemidji

$1,784,937

$410,088

$3,057,793

$611,444

Blackduck

$204,728

$52,750

$374,122

$80,343

Cass Lake – Bena

$445,533

$108,082

$795,164

$174,332

Deer River

$310,738

$77,332

$586,037

$120,019

Grand Rapids

$1,476,338

$320,729

$2,293,170

$485,153

Laporte

$95,212

$26,595

$166,744

$40,136

Northland Community

$219,039

$29,510

$347,121

$50,786

Walker – Hackensack – Akeley

$312,952

$62,662

$514,872

$91,115

 

Our budget also increases support for students inside and outside the classroom, provides more funding for special education, and expands opportunities for students to earn college credit and develop their skills through career and technical programs. A fact sheet with more information is available here.

Health & Human Services

When I talk with folks about their biggest concerns, many of them bring up health care. Our health and human services budget protects health care for more than 1.2 million Minnesotans. It would lower the cost of prescription drugs and address high premiums in the individual market by providing direct discounts to people rather than giving money to insurance companies. Protections for Minnesota elders who live in assisted living facilities or nursing homes are included. My bill to provide grants for child protection to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the White Earth Band of Ojibwe is also included. A fact sheet with more details is available here.

Taxes

Our tax plan would cut taxes for more than two-thirds of Minnesotans and simplify the filing process for everyone. It puts families, seniors, and small businesses first and makes the system fairer by closing corporate loopholes. Bringing profits back to Minnesota that big corporations have stashed in tax havens like Bermuda and the Cayman Islands would raise enough revenue to fully fund our schools and a tuition freeze. Another fact sheet – which includes a breakdown of the numbers – is available here.

Higher Education

The highlight of our higher education budget is a two-year tuition freeze. Under this budget, tens of thousands of students at Bemidji State, the University of Minnesota, and other two- and four-year public colleges and universities will not see any additional increases in tuition. The budget also increases funding for the state grant program, which provides financial support to working families. The 80,000 students that are currently in the program would see an average increase of more than $400 a year, and another 6,000 Minnesotans would become eligible for the first time. A fact sheet is available here.

 

Environment & Natural Resources

As Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division, I’m proud of the months of work that went into creating a budget that protects our environment and outdoor heritage. Our budget addresses long-term problems like chronic wasting disease and aquatic invasive species, and protects the health of Minnesotans from toxic chemicals and pollution. Restoring Minnesota’s natural resources is also a priority, along with providing greater access to the outdoors.

My legislation to reinstate the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Citizen Board would allow Minnesotans to provide input to the MPCA. I’m glad to see it included in the bill, and I’m proud that the League of Women Voters testified in favor of reinstating this board.

Veterans & Military Affairs

The brave men and women who serve our country deserve our support. Our budget for veterans and military affairs increases funding for programs and resources that help active service members and veterans, including mental health support, reintegration assistance, and homelessness prevention. It also includes funds for veterans homes and cemeteries, Minnesota bases, and bonuses for enlistment and retention.

Now that the House and the Senate have started negotiating, your input is more important than ever. Please share your opinions with me and your state senator in these crucial last two weeks of the legislative session.

Sincerely,

John Persell
State Representative