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Session is moving at a fast pace. We already passed our first few bills out of the Senate and I received a

few hearings myself… 

Tax Conformity: HF 6 

On Thursday, the Senate got the opportunity to vote on, and

pass, the Tax Conformity bill. This was the first legislation

passed into law for the 2015 Session and has the effect of

making sure that Minnesota’s tax provisions conform to

Federal tax provisions that Congress extended in December

of 2014. This bill contains nearly $20 million in tax relief.

It was extremely important for us to pass this bill in a timely

fashion. As many people are beginning to file their taxes for

the year, had we not passed this, it would have resulted inextra work for all of us. Having taken care of this early on, we

can ensure that taxpayers have all updated information and

forms on the day tax filing season opens. Many of you may

remember that last year’s conformity passage date did not

come until March. This had serious consequences for many

taxpayers. Pleased we are doing better.

The Minnetonka Town Hall

will be taking place at

6:30 PM on Tuesday, January

27th 

Minnetonka Community

Center – Council Chambers

The Plymouth Town Hall is

set for 6:30 PM on Tuesday,

February 3rd 

Plymouth City Hall- Council

Chambers

Flood relief: SF 1 

We also passed a bill to provide

resources for the State match

following last summer’s terrible

devastating storms. In previous

years, we have had special sessions

to accomplish this. Last year, we

established a disaster relief

contingency fund. Because of this we

were able to wait and handle the

remainder of the needed funding in

the ordinary course of business.

There are some counties and

communities that were not eligible

for the FEMA support and therefore

not part of this bill. Those situations

will be heard separately during this

session.

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Parent Child Home Program: SF 213 

The first bill hearing that I received this Session came on Wednesday in the E-12 Finance Committee. The Parent Child Hom

Program (PCHP) has been around since the 1960’s, and has been operational in MN for many years producing tremendo

outcomes for our at risk young children and their families. It is run through the Jewish Family and Children’s Services and se

low-income families in both urban and rural areas of the State. Last year, we were successful in getting $500,000 over thbiennium to fund this program and I hope to continue or expand on this investment moving forward.

PCHP is a targeted home visiting program whereby staff visit families twice a week to work with parents and children (aged

months to 4 years) on literacy and other basic skills. Lessons are performed through fun games that hold the child’s interes

are easy to learn for the parents. On the first visit, the staff lead the instruction. When they return for their second visit of

week, the parent leads the exercises. This program has proven to be extremely effective. In fact, by the time these children

middle school, they are on par with their peers in educational attainment and reading levels. Keep in mind, these are child

who would otherwise be the most likely to fall behind.

What I appreciate most about this program is that it is not just for the kids. The structure promotes family interaction and o

times, raises the confidence of the parent. We have heard numerous stories of parents who are embarrassed by their own l

of education, but after going through the program, are inspired further their education. . This is the ultimate family buildi

program and I have been proud to champion it in the Senate.

Many of you have read that early-childhood programs and education is a top priority for leaders this Legislative Session. Sev

legislators have introduced bills that would provide universal pre-k for children across the State. While their intent is admira

the price tag on this is well over $400 million per year. I believe that in an environment of limited resources we should place

highest priority on reaching the children and families most at risk for perpetuating the current achievement and attainment

BIE Schools: SF 105 

In November of 2014, Jill Burcum of the Star Tribune did a four-part series on the incredibly substandard conditions

at the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig High School on the Leech Lake reservation. This school is one of many Bureau of Indian

Education Schools across the country that are in extremely poor shape. These schools are funded entirely by the

Federal government and have been neglected in the budget for some time.

When I read Jill’s work, I was disheartened to see that, right here at home, children were going to school in metal-

pole barns with the roof caving in and the floors falling out beneath them. A few days before the last story ran, I was

asked to be on TPT Almanac to discuss the situation from a State Legislative perspective. In preparation, I began to

brainstorm about creative ways the State could intervene to help these kids. I ended up drafting legislation that

would offer $5 million dollars in State money to be matched by up to $20 million in private and foundation funding.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum, MN has been a leading voice of support for not just our BIE schools but in fact allof the tribal schools in the country. She is working hard to see that the “Bug” School and all the Nation’s tribal

schools get the Federal funding they deserve. What makes this job difficult is that there are over 60 schools across

the Country that are currently in the same or worse condition as ours.

My intent in pursuing this legislation is not to usurp the Federal government’s role or to confuse the funding

mechanism of the BIE Schools. I am not focused on the politics of the situation. Rather, my focus lies in helping these

kids and making sure that they have an adequate learning environment. I will work in partnership with Rep.

McCollum, the leadership of Leech lake Reservation, the Bureau of Indian Education and our own Department of

Education to raise the standards of learning for these children.