I had the opportunity this week to sit down and record a few messages regarding the Governor’s return to work declaration, teacher pensions, and student funding. While videos are a great way to get information out in a quick and attention-seeking way through social media, sometimes they bring out more questions. Below is more information regarding the above topics as well as an update to the e-waste survey from last week. Be sure to follow me on social media (Facebook and X).
Back to Work: Navigating the Transition Back to the Office
For many workers who transitioned to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to the office presents both challenges and opportunities. The shift back to in-person work is not without its difficulties, but it is also a necessary step toward restoring the full functionality of our workplaces and communities.
I understand the concerns you might have around returning to the office. Change is never easy, especially when it affects our daily routines. But I believe bringing more of our state workforce back into the office is a necessary step toward rebuilding public trust, improving productivity, and increasing accountability in state government. We owe it to both state employees and the public to ensure our government operates at its highest potential. This is about restoring a sense of mission, presence, and service in how the government operates. And we can do that while also respecting the needs of workers and making this transition thoughtfully.
The extended period of remote work has had unintended consequences. Buildings sit underutilized, and in some cases, have been sold at a fraction of their value. Businesses that once thrived on the daily presence of office workers have struggled or closed altogether due to decreased demand. Meanwhile, child care providers have either shut down or raised prices, making it more difficult for parents to transition back to traditional work settings.
While remote work was initially intended as a temporary measure, its continuation has contributed to reduced response times, productivity concerns, and challenges in training new employees. Reports have indicated difficulties in ensuring accountability, with personal activities often competing with work responsibilities during office hours.
Minnesota has had telework policies in place since the pandemic, including the MN Telework Policy (1/2020) and the Remote Work Policy (10/2021), which have outlined the guidelines for balancing workplace flexibility with operational needs. However, it remains essential to ensure that remote work remains an option where appropriate, rather than a default for positions requiring an in-office presence.
As we move forward, the focus must be on balancing flexibility with the need for an effective, engaged workforce. This transition should be approached with empathy, recognizing the real challenges employees face while also reinforcing the mission-driven nature of public service. By coming together in person, we can rebuild connections, foster collaboration, and strengthen the institutions that serve our communities.
Supporting Our Teachers: A Balanced Approach to Pension Reform
Minnesota’s teachers are the backbone of our education system, shaping the future of our children. Attracting and retaining quality educators is essential, and competitive pay and benefits—including a strong pension system—play a critical role in achieving this goal. As discussions continue around S.F. 2000 / H.F. 1582, it is important to find a balanced approach that supports teachers while ensuring fiscal responsibility.
Minnesota is facing a serious school staffing shortage—and we can’t fix it without addressing the issue of teacher retention head-on. One of the biggest obstacles? A broken pension system that no longer works as it was intended.
Teacher pensions were originally meant to reward long-term service and provide financial stability in retirement. But the current two-tier system falls short, making it harder to keep good teachers in the classroom. If we want to make teaching a career worth committing to, reforming this system is a critical step forward.
This legislation proposes several key changes that would benefit Minnesota educators:
- Implementing an unreduced career rule, allowing teachers to retire at 60 with 30 years of service.
- Reducing penalties and increasing flexibility for educator retirement.
- Removing the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) delay for Tier 2 educators and immediately increasing COLA to 1.5%.
Pension reform must strike the right balance between rewarding educators for their hard work and maintaining the long-term sustainability of the system. The financial implications of these changes must be carefully evaluated to ensure they do not create undue burdens on taxpayers or destabilize the pension fund in the future. Right now, the pension formula would call for a 3.8% increase from the employer, ultimately putting district taxpayers on the hook for the bill (property tax). While we all need to pitch in to ensure we are retaining quality educators who want to work in our district, we also need to make sure the funds already allocated to each district are responsibly spent for the direct purpose of providing our children’s education. The onslaught of unfunded mandates over the last 2 years has put our districts in a position where they’re now forced to make decisions that could be detrimental to the education our kids receive.
By working together, lawmakers and educators can develop a plan that strengthens Minnesota’s education system, supports teachers, and ensures the financial health of the pension program. Addressing teacher shortages and enhancing retirement benefits must be part of a broader strategy that includes competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and classroom support.
Our commitment to education requires practical solutions that honor the dedication of teachers while upholding responsible stewardship of public resources. Thoughtful pension reform can be a step toward a stronger, more sustainable future for Minnesota’s schools. I look forward to hearing about the continued work on this bill.
Equal Funding for All Children
I have received many emails over the last few weeks from constituents who teach at or have children who attend our local charter and private schools. Each of their stories, while unique, all have a common message – don’t allow our students to be pushed aside because we are a charter/private school.
I’ve been a strong supporter of our area charter and private schools because I understand their purpose. Not every child can thrive in a public school setting. Sometimes it’s because of a learning disability or mental health and well-being. Sometimes it’s because the curriculum isn’t difficult enough or needs to be taught differently and this can only be achieved if that student is in a smaller class with a lower teacher-to-student ratio. Whatever the reason is, we have an obligation to ensure each student is receiving the education they deserve.
Moving forward, I will stand fast in the belief that the dollars should follow the student. A child should never have to the be victim of Politics, meaning that all children should be funded equally, no matter where they attend school. If our mission is to truly ensure each child is receiving a quality education, why would the state provide more funds to one district over another? Don’t all teachers deserve to be paid a fair wage no matter where they work in the state? This is not a budget line item I am willing negotiate on and I am hoping the governor has a change of heart when considering the future of our students when deciding how to proceed with funding our schools.
E-Waste Survey Results
Last week I wrote about SF 1690, a bill establishing a stewardship program for circuit boards, batteries, and electrical products – otherwise known as the E-Waste Bill. The results of the survey are in! If you recall, the question posed was “Minnesota is considering expanding its e-waste recycling program. Would you rather the recycling expense be passed to the manufacturer and seller (which would likely be passed to you, the consumer) to pay a non-profit to manage the recycling program or would you rather be billed for an at-home service provided by your contracted garbage collector?” The survey says:
- 37.5% would rather have the recycling expense passed to the manufacturer/seller
- 53.5% would rather have a third bin at their home and pay their local garbage collector to take the waste
- 9% will choose to continue to throw their e-waste into the garbage
While this was a sampling of 75 residents, it is a glimpse into the minds of the everyday consumer. If we want to gain compliance with properly disposing e-waste, it needs to be convenient for residents to comply with the methods requested, or required, of them.
Contact Me!
Please don’t ever hesitate to contact me as I truly believe it helps me to be a better legislator. You can reach me by email at sen.mark.koran@mnsenate.gov or at 651-296-5419. My legislative assistant, Melissa Field, is also a great source of information. She can be reached at melissa.field@mnsenate.gov or at 651-296-6200. Thank you for staying connected to your community and seeking more information about the legislature. I hope top see you in the community soon!
Contact Me
Please don’t ever hesitate to contact me! I truly believe keeping in touch with constituents helps me be a better legislator. You can contact me directly through email at sen.mark.koran@mnsenate.gov or by calling 651-296-5419. My legislative assistant, Melissa Field, is also a great source for information. She can be reached at melissa.field@mnsenate.gov or by calling 651-296-6200. Take care and I look forward to seeing you in the community soon!
