This week marked the seventh week of the legislative session. As the first bill deadline rapidly approaches, committees have been working hard putting together the state?Äôs budget for the next two years. I?Äôd like to share a few brief updates on some of the marquee issues this week at the Capitol:
Zero-based budgeting
I have written in the past about my legislation requiring Minnesota to implement a ?Äúzero-based budgeting?Äù system. That bill, SF65, was heard in the Senate State Government Finance and Policy Committee this week. A zero-based budgeting system simply refers to the idea of starting each new budget at zero, instead of the current method of assuming a percentage increase over the previous budget. The result would be all spending, not just the new spending, having to be analyzed and justified. State agency leaders would be required to begin each new budget proposal at zero. State department budgets often total in the tens, or even hundreds, of millions of dollars per agency; with such a large portion of taxpayer funds being spent, it is important to identify expenses that may be outdated or no longer necessary. In a zero-based budgeting system, we can ensure that state-funded agencies and departments are good stewards of taxpayer dollars ?Äì especially in a time where fiscal responsibility is critical to maintaining our state?Äôs healthy economy. As the legislature prepares the state?Äôs budget for the next two years, a zero-based budgeting system would allow for better transparency and accountability for each tax dollar that is spent. Following the bill?Äôs first committee approval, it awaits a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.
Child Protection Task Force appointment
I have been appointed to serve on the Legislative Task Force on Child Protection, where I will serve as its co-chair. I have previously served on this task force, which resulted from 2015 legislation. It is intended to look at portions of the child welfare program in Minnesota that may need to be addressed, as well as reviewing and recommending ways the Department of Human Services and entities such as law enforcement can work together to ensure the best possible outcome for young Minnesotans ?Äì especially those children who may not have anyone else looking after them. Children are Minnesota?Äôs most valuable asset; we have a commitment to do all that we can to ensure they are able to lead healthy, fruitful, and successful lives.
Highway 23 dedication
My bill SF232 designates part of Highway 23 near Paynesville as the ?ÄúMedal of Honor recipient Kenneth L. Olson Highway.?Äù Mr. Olson was a Paynesville resident who posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Vietnam War, where he threw himself on a grenade to save his fellow soldiers. Although we can never truly repay Mr. Olson for our debt to his service, this legislation is a small token of appreciation. The bill passed the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee and awaits consideration by the full Senate.
Minnesota State Senate
2113 Minn. Senate Building
95 University Ave West
St. Paul, MN 55155
Tel: (651) 296-2084
Email: sen.michelle.fischbach@senate.mn