As the state revenue forecast approaches and Gov. Tim Walz plans to unveil his budget, the Mankato region has much to gain from a plan that prioritizes critical needs, protects against an increasingly risky economy and shares the pain and the gain between metro areas and outstate.

But first and foremost, the Legislature must make sure bills are not bundled into megabills. It was a risky strategy employed by the GOP last year that didn’t work. It prevented a lot of “must-do” bills from passing.

The Legislature must make sure most bills are debated separately and are not connected to unrelated bills in violation of the Constitution’s single subject rule. We need laws and rules to address this issue and we must enforce those laws and rules.

We also need to set new rules of transparency, so bills can be read before they are voted on. There must be time for the public and other legislators to weigh in.

Beyond this reforming of the legislative process, there are many critical needs.

We need to fully fund school safety. While $25 million was approved last year for school safety, another $26 million was part of a mega-funding bill that got vetoed.

We need to fund a program to address the crisis of opioid addiction, and the pharmaceutical companies need to be part of the solution.

We need to implement common-sense background checks for gun sales and close online and gun show loopholes.

We need to pass red flag laws, which would allow friends or family to petition a court to remove guns from a person who is a danger to themselves and others.

Other states have implemented these common-sense laws without violating anyone’s Second Amendment rights.

We need a balanced budget that doesn’t cost taxpayers more money in the long run, makes sensible funding decisions and makes reasonable allowances for inflation.

Our current road funding system will cost taxpayers more because as a road deteriorates, the costs of fixing it multiply.

The same with higher education infrastructure. The Minnesota State system and the University of Minnesota have needs for new roofs and an updated technology system that, if not funded, will cost more in the long run.

We need tax conformity with federal tax law changes with minimal disruptions.

Hands-free cellphone laws and tougher penalties for texting and driving are long overdue.

We need to make a big dent in special education funding shortfalls that are estimated at $724 million and draining schools of operating funds and creating cutbacks in the quality of education.

We need to bring Local Government Aid back to the level of 2002, as the governor has proposed.

We need to come up with a sensible funding plan for small-town wastewater treatment that protects the environment and our rivers but also is affordable for local taxpayers.

We need to expand broadband so outstate Minnesota businesses can compete with those in the Twin Cities and across the world.

It’s a long to-do list, but one that is achievable, if both parties are willing to put aside partisan differences and rhetoric and compromise for the good of the people.

 

— Mankato Free Press, Feb. 9