State legislators busy during current session

It has been a busy couple of weeks in Saint Paul! This year looks quite different from the previous session, as our massive $19B budget surplus has been spent, and the recent announcement of a projected structural budget deficit looms for 2026-2027. Recently, the office of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its annual February economic forecast. The report, which details the state’s budget picture, projects a surplus of $3.7 billion. However, Minnesota also faces a structural budget deficit of $1.5 billion, meaning Minnesota is spending more than it is taking in.
The news of a surplus might make us feel good but look beyond the headline and you’ll see clear warning signs. Here is a snippet from my comments: “I am deeply troubled by the state’s $1.5 billion structural deficit. We’re spending significantly more money than we are taking in. It cannot continue. Last session, I was one of several legislators who cautioned about growing the size of government by 40%, spending the entire $19 billion surplus, and the $10 billion in tax increases that have kept our budget in the black for now. But we have to be cautious and get our
spending under control. We have a duty to be responsible stewards of Minnesota taxpayers’ dollars. That didn’t happen last session. It is time to repair the damage and get Minnesota back on solid footing.”
Please don’t hesitate to contact me regarding any state issue: sen.carla.nelson@mnsenate.gov, 651-296-4848.
It is a privilege to serve you!?
SRO Fix
Last Monday I voted to support school safety and repair the flawed law that limited the use of School Resource Officers (SROs).
It was shocking to see such a poorly vetted policy change and with no input from public safety experts become law. We must get School Resource Officers back into schools for the safety of all students and staff.
The new law meant SRO contracts would need significant changes. This led to the removal of SROs in many districts, and the short-term impact was almost immediately felt as reports of violence at schools were shared widely. Just last week, an SRO was sent to the hospital after breaking up a fight. The new law was so vague and poorly written that the Attorney General stepped in to address the situation. Ultimately, saying it needed a legislative fix.
Since August, I have fiercely advocated for a solution to last year’s dangerous SRO rule. My priority has always been to keep students, staff, and schools safe. I appreciate the bipartisan effort from legislators and stakeholders today to fix the damage from last session.
Fire Pensions Bill
On Monday, February 26, the Commission on Pensions heard my bill, SF-4604: addressing police and fire pensions. Minnesota has a severe workforce shortage and Fire Departments are no exception.
Why it’s important:
Currently, there is a disincentive for some firefighters to relocate to another precinct due to where they began their career. This disincentive makes it harder to recruit men and women to our Fire Service.
What would the bill do?
SF-4604 would allow Minnesota Fire Marshals, Assistant Fire Marshals, Battalion Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and Deputy Chiefs and Fire Investigators to be eligible for PERA P&F benefits regardless of where they began their fire career. This would ensure that those serving in these roles or similar positions would be treated far more equitably. The hearing went well, and I am excited about the prospects of this bill making recruitment more enticing for future Minnesota P&F staff.
If you or a loved one fulfill one of these roles in our community, thank you for your service. We are in need of courageous men and women to actively protect Minnesotans and I am so grateful for the role that you play in doing so.
Dental and Dental Hygienist Licensure Compact
Minnesotans are facing a shortage of dentists, dental hygienists, and assistants. As you likely know, wait times are long, and let’s hope none of you are plagued with a toothache. They are oftentimes debilitating. That is why I am glad the Health and Human Services Committee heard my bill, SF-2990: The Dental and Dental Hygienist Licensure Compact.
My legislation would allow Minnesota to join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists. The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact aims to make it easier for dentists and dental hygienists to work in Minnesota by allowing them to practice in multiple states with a single, portable license.
Why it’s important:
Entering Minnesota into the Dental Compact will improve Minnesota’s dental workforce challenges. For patients, it means better access to dental care, especially in areas where there is a shortage of providers. And dentists and dental hygienists will have a much easier time practicing in the states where they are most needed. More people can get expert dental treatment without having to travel long distances. It is a win-win.
Minnesota would become the fifth state to adopt the compact after Tennessee, Iowa, Washington, and Wisconsin.
How it works:
The compact establishes a pathway for licensed dentists and dental hygienists to practice in participating states without having to obtain individual licenses for each state. To be eligible, they must have an active, unencumbered license in a compact state, graduate from an accredited program, pass national board exams, complete a clinical assessment, and undergo a criminal background check.
PTECH Expansion
As a longtime champion of the P-TECH program and co-author of this year’s P-TECH bill, I am thrilled to see a bipartisan effort to expand the program’s reach and provide more students with the skills, knowledge, and apprenticeships they need to succeed in STEM careers. During my tenure as chair of the Senate’s Education Committee, I fought to establish and support P-TECH, as it offers a unique and invaluable opportunity for high school students to earn an associate’s degree and gain workplace experience through mentorships and internships with industry partners. It is now time to expand the successful PTECH model.
Where the bill stands:
SF-4035, which received its first hearing in the Senate’s Education Finance Committee on Wednesday, aims to provide more students with the opportunity to earn tuition-free college credits, graduate from college sooner with less debt, and receive direct job training and paid apprenticeships. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the Education Committee’s policy bill.
What is PTECH?
The P-TECH model is a public-private partnership that prepares students for high-skill jobs in identified growth industries. It provides a rigorous, relevant, and cost-free education in grades 9 to 14, with a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers. Students also benefit from workplace learning opportunities, such as mentoring by industry professionals, worksite visits, speakers, and internships, as well as intensive, individualized academic support from secondary and postsecondary faculty.
SF4035 is needed if we are to expand the successful PTECH model to other sites.
 
Carla Nelson represents Senate District 24, which includes Dodge County and parts of Olmsted County including Byron, in the Minnesota State Senate.