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Health & Fitness

BLOG: Citizens Can Vote on Photo ID Amendment, School Payback, Meetings in District

Senator Ted Daley's Legislative Session update

This week has been a busy one with Senate Floor session every day. A big accomplishment of the week was passing the Voter ID constitutional amendment off the floor and on to the ballot in November.

Voter ID
The Senate passed the final Voter ID bill on Wednesday, assuring that Minnesota citizens will have the opportunity in November to voice their opinion on this question: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require all voters to present valid photo identification to vote and to require the state to provide free identification to eligible voters, effective July 1, 2013?” Requiring photo ID to vote is an effort to modernize the election system, prevent voter fraud and inspire confidence in the integrity of our voting process. I was a member of the joint House-Senate conference committee that ironed out differences in each house’s bill. The House approved the bill earlier in the week and the measure goes directly to voters this fall.

School Payback Vetoed
On Thursday Governor Dayton vetoed HF2083, a bill that would repay the scheduled school aid payments that were delayed as part of the agreement reached between the Governor and the legislature last year. I was co-author of the Senate bill and member of the joint conference committee and urged the Governor to sign the bill, which was supported by school districts and charter schools. If Governor Dayton had signed this bill, more timely payments would have allowed schools a better chance of avoiding short-term borrowing and related interest costs.

Find out what's happening in Eaganwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Teacher Layoff Reform
The bill that will end Minnesota’s strict “Last In, First Out” (LIFO) standard for layoffs of teachers remains in conference committee. This legislation would authorize schools to base layoff decisions on effectiveness before seniority, letting them keep quality teachers in the classroom. House/Senate conferees have agreed on language, but have agreed to hold on finalizing the committee report in order for legislative leaders to engage further with the Governor on this important issue.

Honor Guard Funding
A bill to give the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs the flexibility in allocating funds to local units of a congressionally chartered veterans organization, like the Honor Guard, was signed into law Monday. The Honor Guard program was established to reimburse veterans organizations throughout the state to assist in payment for military funeral honors and every veteran has a congressionally-authorized benefit to have an Honor Guard at their funeral if the family requests. Last year it was reported that this program, in the absence of a specific appropriation, was to be discontinued. This bill is one measure legislators have taken to address the issue and ensure the program continues.

Find out what's happening in Eaganwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Constituent Meetings

I will have a town meeting Thursday, April 12 from 7-8 PM with State Representatives Doug Wardlow and Diane Anderson. The meeting will be at the Wescott Library in Eagan, located at 1340 Wescott Road.

I will also hold a “Talk to Ted Office Hours” Saturday, April 14th, from 1 - 3 p.m.
at the Wescott Library in Eagan. Constituents are encouraged to make appointments for one-on-one time.

During the legislative session, constituents are encouraged to send questions and comments to Senator Daley at sen.ted.daley@senate.mn or by calling his office at 651-297-8073. He represents Eagan and parts of eastern Burnsville.

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