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 Minnesotas 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 in
extra 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 years 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

Flood relief: SF 1
We also passed a bill to provide
resources for the State match
following last summers 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.

The Plymouth Town Hall is

set for 6:30 PM on Tuesday,
February 3rd
Plymouth City Hall- Council
Chambers

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 Home
Program (PCHP) has been around since the 1960s, and has been operational in MN for many years producing tremendous
outcomes for our at risk young children and their families. It is run through the Jewish Family and Childrens Services and serves
low-income families in both urban and rural areas of the State. Last year, we were successful in getting $500,000 over the
biennium 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 16
months to 4 years) on literacy and other basic skills. Lessons are performed through fun games that hold the childs interest and
are easy to learn for the parents. On the first visit, the staff lead the instruction. When they return for their second visit of the
week, the parent leads the exercises. This program has proven to be extremely effective. In fact, by the time these children reach
middle school, they are on par with their peers in educational attainment and reading levels. Keep in mind, these are children
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 often
times, raises the confidence of the parent. We have heard numerous stories of parents who are embarrassed by their own level
of education, but after going through the program, are inspired further their education. . This is the ultimate family building
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. Several
legislators have introduced bills that would provide universal pre-k for children across the State. While their intent is admirable,
the price tag on this is well over $400 million per year. I believe that in an environment of limited resources we should place the
highest priority on reaching the children and families most at risk for perpetuating the current achievement and attainment gap.

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 Jills work, I was disheartened to see that, right here at home, children were going to school in metalpole 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 all
of the tribal schools in the country. She is working hard to see that the Bug School and all the Nations 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 governments 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.