Dear Friends,
It seems like so much has happened since the last email update, but I guess that's to be expected with such a quick session! Here are some important things to note from this past week.
UPDATE ON REAL ID
On Tuesday of this week, we passed into law the first step in dealing with the REAL ID issue, which is lifting the ban imposed on the Department of Public Safety from researching or implementing REAL ID. This allows the Department of Public Safety to prepare and submit a plan to the legislature detailing costs and other factors involved in switching to REAL ID. This information will help us meet our goal of having county DMVs start issuing REAL ID licenses within the year.
The bill also mandates the Governor to request an extension from the federal government so that people can use their MN driver's licenses to enter military bases and federal buildings up until the final compliance deadline of 2020.
See my previous update for more information on this subject if you missed it last week: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/pressrelease.asp?pressid=20435&party=2&memid=15430 . I will continue to keep you in the loop with any new developments!
STRIVING FOR JOB GROWTH
If there is one thing I've heard from local people time and time again, it's that Minnesota needs to lay groundwork for more job growth in Greater Minnesota, especially for communities like ours that are located by state borders. I'm told all the time by employers in our district how hard it is to stay in-step with businesses across the border in Iowa, which have lower tax rates and less regulations to deal with.
Last week we took a good step toward helping our businesses become more competitive with those outside of Minnesota by passing HF3178, a bill that will give Minnesota businesses who pay into the Unemployment Insurance Fund a refund.
Currently, there is huge surplus in the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (UI) Fund. HF3178 will give a portion of this surplus back to businesses that have been paying into that fund. The average sized business that pays into the Minnesota UI fund is ten employees. This refund will be much needed relief for these businesses, many of which I know would like to be able to reinvest back into their company or hire more employees. This measure was signed into law by Governor Dayton on the same day we passed it in the House.
We need to do what we can to strengthen our business culture so that our local businesses can create more well-paying jobs in our communities, and to make our area an attractive option for new businesses looking for a location. The Unemployment Insurance refund will help accomplish that.
COUNTY ROAD CATTLE
This week I had the pleasure of introducing the men and women of County Road Cattle from Albert Lea to members of the Agricultural Finance Committee and the Agricultural Policy Committee at our joint hearing on March 29th. Our committee honored them for their work in strengthening Minnesota’s agricultural industry, and I presented them with a House resolution I had drafted to thank them for their contributions.
I am so glad that we could recognize County Road Cattle for their outstanding innovations in many facets of the cattle industry. Their far-reaching contributions range from cattle genetics, mentoring and training the next generation of cattle breeders, and a commitment to the wellbeing of their cattle and the environment through rotational grazing.
We have a great asset to the cattle world right here in Albert Lea, and I was proud to honor this group with my fellow committee members!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about an issue, please contact my office at 651-296-8216, or by email at Rep.Peggy.Bennett@house.mn; I would love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Peggy