Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Here is an update from the Capitol.
National Ag Week
March 13th through March 19th is National Ag Week, and I wanted to take a moment to thank all of the hardworking farmers in Northwest Minnesota and across the state. From the food on our table to the clothes we wear, farmers are an essential part of our local economy and daily lives.
So if you are a farmer, thank you for all you do! And if you see a farmer this week, be sure to thank them for their hard work!
Greater Minnesota Regional Development Bill
This week in the Greater Minnesota Economic and Workforce Development Policy Committee, my bill, House File 2872, was passed. The legislation creates a pilot program to provide grants in an effort to identify, coordinate and support local economic development.
Regional development is essential to grow our local economies and attract residents and businesses to our communities. To be eligible for the funding, communities must have fewer than 60,000 people and must demonstrate existing marketing and promotional efforts geared toward attracted employees, employers and residents, as well as have an interest in online promotion.
This is an important bill for Northwest Minnesota and other Greater Minnesota communities. I will keep you updated on its progress. Its next stop is the House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance Committee.
Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Bill
On Thursday, the House passed a bill that extends unemployment benefits to eligible out-of-work employees on the Iron Range, as well as provides a boost to businesses across the state by giving them credit toward our overfunded Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. It has no impact on the General Fund.
The first section of the bill extends unemployment benefits for 26 weeks to help workers who were laid off after the recent downturn in the steel industry. Greater Minnesota has been hit hard by this downturn, and we are advocating for temporary assistance for those in need in addition to long-term solutions that will bring jobs to the Iron Range.
The second portion of the bill right sizes the state's overfunded Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund which is currently carrying a near all-time high $1.5 billion balance. By crediting future payments of $258 million to employers and reducing their future obligation to the trust fund when the balance exceeds the fully-funded threshold, businesses can reinvest, expand and hire more employees.
Mental Health Legislation
On Wednesday in the Health and Human Services Finance Committee, my legislation to appropriate a federal mental health grant was heard.
House File 2609 will help fund at least two certified community behavioral health clinics both in the metro and in Greater Minnesota. The money will likely go to enhancing already existing clinics that are doing excellent work to reach Minnesotans in need. These health clinics help folks with mental health and drug abuse issues, offering them a place to go for help. The planning grants will help get the programs going, and the state will have two years to demonstrate that the program is working and effective.
Question of the Week
Question: Governor Dayton released his supplemental budget this week, which once again included a gas tax increase that is estimated to cost taxpayers more than $900 million per year. The plan would result in a minimum 16 cent increase in the price of gasoline and would increase as the wholesale price increases. Do you support the governor's gas tax proposal to fund transportation?
Please reply to this email to share your thoughts with me! Your opinion is valuable and helps guide me in supporting legislation that reflects the priorities of our community.
Constituents at the Capitol
Thank you to everyone who visited me at the Capitol this week! It was great visiting with East Grand Forks city leaders including City Administrator Dave Murphy, Mark Olstad, Craig Buckalew, Marc Demers, and Mike Pokrzywinski. Also, thanks to the folks from Crookston who came down to Saint Paul including City Administrator Shannon Stassen and city council members Clayton Briggs, Steve Erickson and Wayne Melbye.
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If I can ever assist you or your family on a matter of state government, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you!
Deb
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01B