Dear Neighbors:
At this point in the legislative session, the House majority is advancing its "omnibus bills" on a variety of topics. These are bills that set the budgets for state departments but that often also contain many related provisions as well. The total budget in each area - education, transportation, etc. - is determined by the "target" set by the majority; the committee for each area then determines how to spend within that target.
For the upcoming biennium (the two-year period for which budgets are being set), the state has a $1.6 billion surplus, without taking inflation into account. Any budget decisions should put Minnesotans first and prepare for uncertainty at the federal level. Unfortunately, the Republican majority's budget targets make a $600 million cut to health and human services, continue to underfund public education (once again losing ground to inflation), and include significant tax giveaways to the very wealthy.
Today (Thursday), the full House is considering the majority's omnibus bills on taxes and on the environment & natural resources. Tomorrow we'll take up education and transportation. I'll provide information on those bills in future updates.
Chat with Dave - Sunday, April 2
Just a reminder that the next "Chat with Dave" - an informal conversation with neighbors - is coming up on Sunday. Please join us on April 2, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm, at the Jewish Community Center, 1375 St. Paul Ave. Note that a form of identification is mandatory at the JCC. And apologies for the headline error in last week's update - the Chat is on SUNDAY afternoon, not Saturday.
Advocacy Fair - Saturday, April 8
A reminder as well that the Advocacy Fair - a chance to connect with advocacy organizations who could use your help - is coming up on Saturday, April 8. Please stop by anytime from 1:00pm to 5:00pm, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 Snelling Ave. S. Please download a flyer or visit - and SHARE - the event's Facebook page. Friends from across the metro and state are welcome - please spread the word!
Thank you for the honor of serving our community,
Dave Pinto
State Representative, District 64B
321 State Office Building
(651) 296-4199
www.house.leg.state.mn.us/64b
Sign up for legislative updates at http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/join.asp?id=15444