Dear Friends,
Congratulations to the LPGE/BEV wrestling team on their fourth place finish at the state wrestling tournament last weekend! It was an exciting season for this group, and the community is proud of the many successes they had throughout the year.
Bipartisan Bag Off
Earlier this week I participated in the Minnesota Grocer’s Association Bipartisan Bag Off. This event raised $12,500 for Minnesota’s Second Harvest food bank and featured legislators from both parties competing to fill grocery bags with various food items. I ended up winning the contest and, as a result, received $1,000 to donate to a local food shelf in our area. I enjoyed joining other legislators for this event and am glad we were able to raise money to help combat hunger in our state.
MNLARS Update
Many of you have experienced problems firsthand with our state’s broken MNLARS system. With around $100 million in taxpayer money already spent on the troubled system over the past decade, Governor Dayton recently requested an additional $10 million in order to fund ongoing operations. Last week, a bill was introduced in the House that would authorize the governor to transfer $10 million from the Department of Vehicle Services Special Revenue fund, and then require those funds be backfilled down the road with existing state agency funding. By using money that is already in state government, I think this is a commonsense approach that protects taxpayers. This bill would also hold the administration accountable by requiring evidence of a detailed roadmap for meaningful solutions as well as monthly progress reports. Minnesota taxpayers deserve a working system, and our goal through this bill is to increase accountability and ensure real fixes happen with any additional funding.
Federal Tax Conformity
Now that session is underway, an important issue that needs to be addressed is federal tax conformity. The legislature must take action to ensure Minnesota taxpayers can smoothly file their taxes in the years to come, as well as enjoy the full benefit of the tax bill passed in Congress. In order to do so, it is crucial that we bring our state’s tax code into compliance with the recently changed federal code. As our efforts take shape, I will be committed to ensuring that any additional revenue generated by conforming is returned to the taxpayers of Minnesota.
House File 2996
Yesterday morning, the Health and Human Services Reform Committee approved my bill, House File 2996. This important bill would establish a training academy to provide specialized training to child protection social workers. It would also require the workers to receive this training as well as fund studies to examine our child welfare workforce. This bill would better prepare child protection workers and allow us to further ensure the safety of Minnesota’s children. I will be sure to keep you updated as it works its way through the legislative process.
Fish Fry Friday
If you’re free this evening, make sure you stop by the Little Falls VFW or the Double R Bar and Grill in Grey Eagle for fish fries. If you would like to see your local fish fry mentioned in my email updates, please send me the details and I’ll make sure I include it going forward.
Please Contact Me
If you have any questions or concerns about what’s happening in St. Paul, please do not hesitate to contact me at rep.ron.kresha@house.mn or 651-296-4247. My door is always open, and I welcome your feedback and input.
Have a great weekend,
Ron