Dear Neighbors,
We have just over 2 weeks left in the legislative session and I am getting concerned that we are headed to another chaotic end of session push. This week the House debated and voted on measures related to taxes, health and human services, transportation, public safety, jobs, agriculture and the environment. My biggest concern is the work we do here reflects and supports the values of the people in our community. Unfortunately, a lot of what the Republicans are proposing doesn’t follow that guideline.
All Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to be safe, healthy, and successful. But these policies fail on all three of those counts. At every turn, Republicans put corporations ahead of working people and divide and distract Minnesotans instead of prioritizing the issues that will build a better future for everyone.
Small Business Week
Governor Dayton proclaimed Tuesday as Small Helps All Day, in commemoration of Business Week. This week marks National Small Business Week. The United States has celebrated Small Business Week since 1963, which commemorates the contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Minnesota has more than 503,000 small businesses, which employ approximately 1.2 million people. Overall, small businesses employ approximately 47 percent of Minnesota’s workforce.
To learn more about the tools and resources available to entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in Minnesota, click here.
You can view a copy of Governor Dayton’s proclamation here.
Emergency Education Funding
This week, Gov. Mark Dayton announced plans for $137.9 million in one-time Emergency School Aid for school districts across Minnesota. Currently, more than 26 school districts in the metro area and 33 school districts in Greater Minnesota are facing immediate budget deficits that could result in hundreds of teachers and support staff being laid off, along with significant programming cuts. The proposal would increase school funding by two percent in the coming year, amounting to an additional $126 for every student in Minnesota.
The Robbinsdale and Osseo Public School Districts are both projected to have a budget shortfalls in 2018-2019. The new funding proposed by Governor Dayton would amount to an additional $2 million for Robbinsdale Public Schools and Osseo Public Schools would receive an additional $3.3 million.
Education has made Minnesota a leader, but we won’t continue to lead by following the Republican plan to underfund our schools, defund pre-k education, and allow our students to be burdened by some of the highest student loan debt in the country. Instead, education should be our highest priority.
As always, it’s a pleasure to be your voice at the Capitol as we fight to make sure the things our community values are a priority.
Sincerely,
Michael V. Nelson
State Representative