Letters: Current session has issues

This legislative session has proven interesting. In most bienniums, the first year is appropriations, not policy. However, there have been a lot of policies introduced and passed. Our local legislators have voted against most of the legislation. They have held true to their political and personal values. There has been bipartisan support on less controversial proposals.

In discussions with our local legislators, this writer has encouraged them to address housing, energy and education issues. I continue to share conversations I had with voters from across the senate district because there is value in them. Especially since our local legislators sit on these committees. Education is the critical foundation for every student. Conversations are ongoing to address this.

There has been interesting talk about housing. The House of Representatives housing committee has a focus on the housing supply across the state. There has been discussion in that committee that the legislature should not “throw money” at the problem because it does not address the underlying problem. One member of the house’s housing committee has proposed removing some barriers that block funds from being used to address the broader housing issue.

I have pressed legislators to apply the 80/20 rule: to find the areas of agreement and focus on that 80 percent where there is agreement. In watching committee hearings and floor sessions, there have been verbal promises made to address some ideas that have been presented in the form of amendments, such as alternative energy. Some ideas have merit and need further consideration.

John Peura, Moose Lake