Budget update
With fewer than four days remaining in the regular session, we are in crunch time as the constitution mandates that we must adjourn by May 22. We are working hard to ensure a budget gets passed on time; check back for an update early next week, when we will have a much better idea of where things stand.
REAL ID
On Wednesday, legislation to bring Minnesota driver?Äôs licenses and identification cards into compliance with federal REAL ID policy passed the Senate and quickly signed into law by the governor. This means that your ability to use your driver?Äôs license to board an airplane or enter certain federal facilities will be uninterrupted.
The bill creates a two-tier system for licenses and identification cards, meaning both a REAL ID-compliant and a non-compliant option, just like the license or identification card you carry today, will be available over the next several months.
Teacher licensure
It is well-noted that rural school districts across Minnesota are facing a shortage of qualified educators. Much of this may be due to an outdated, inconsistent teacher licensing process. As was noted in a 2016 report issued by the legislative auditor, ?ÄúMinnesota?Äôs teacher licensure system is broken and needs significant changes.?Äù On Wednesday, the Senate passed compromise legislation that fundamentally changes the way teachers are licensed in Minnesota. The bill, which passed the House and the Senate with bipartisan support, was subsequently vetoed by the governor, despite passing with bipartisan support. Among its many provisions, the bill:
Establishes a new ?ÄúProfessional Educator Licensing and Standards Board,?Äù which will take on the responsibilities currently shared by the Board of Teaching and the Department of Education
Creates a ?Äútiered?Äù licensing system, allowing for a clearer and more affordable pathway into the teaching profession. This new system will empower local school districts to take on more responsibility for educator hiring and development and will establish consistent standards that will streamline the licensing process for both in- and out-of-state applicants.
Governor Dayton vetoed the bill on May 18.
Signed into law: Kenneth L. Olson Highway designation
A bill that I authored, along with Rep. Jeff Howe, to designate a portion of state Highway 23 in Paynesville as the ?ÄúMedal of Honor recipient Kenneth L. Olson Highway?Äù unanimously passed the Senate on Monday. With the support of his family, the city of Paynesville, and American Legion Post 271, the bill was signed into law by Gov. Dayton.
Specialist 4th Class Kenneth L. Olson, a 1963 Paynesville High School graduate, joined the United States Army in 1967. While serving in Vietnam, Spec. Olson was killed in the line of duty at the young age of 22. Spec. Olson was participating in a mission to reinforce a reconnaissance platoon heavily engaged with a Viet Cong force when he was pinned down by weapons fire from an enemy position. Spec. Olson was wounded, yet he threw himself on a grenade blast to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. President Richard Nixon posthumously awarded Spec. Olson the Medal of Honor ?Äì the nation?Äôs highest military decoration – in 1970. The Paynesville community – and all Americans –
are eternally grateful to Spec. Olson.
As I spoke on the Senate floor about this bill – with Spec. Olson?Äôs family watching from the Senate gallery – I talked about how those who knew Spec. Ken Olson will attest that he was a special guy. His extraordinary heroism and bravery inspired his fellow soldiers to renew their efforts and totally defeat the enemy force. Spec. Olson made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country.
May we honor him in a small way – a young man who served his country and didn?Äôt come home.