Dear Neighbors,
Yesterday began Black History Month, tomorrow is a chance to talk about the upcoming legislative session, and Sunday is of course the Super Bowl (click here for a handy Super Bowl website). Hope that your year has had a good start so far.
Chat with Dave – February 3
The 2018 legislative session will begin on Tuesday, February 20. In advance of this, the first “Chat with Dave” for 2018 will be tomorrow, Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm, at Highland Park Library in the Community Meeting Room. This is an informal conversation about the upcoming legislative session and policy priorities for you and your family. Please join us!
Combatting Sex Trafficking by Educating Youth
The Super Bowl has been an opportunity to raise awareness of the sexual exploitation and sex trafficking that happens year-round in our state. In my non-legislative work as a prosecutor, I’ve trained thousands of law enforcement and others statewide on this issue. It’s important that young people learn about this issue too. Earlier this week, I joined a number of my colleagues to propose a bill to help schools provide that education. You can watch the KARE 11 story about our press conference here.
Black History Month
As proclaimed by Governor Dayton, February is Black History Month in Minnesota: “While African-American history should be studied throughout the year, Black History Month provides a special opportunity to focus on the unique experiences and contributions of African Americans in our state and our country.” Learning about our past and its impact on our present will help us build a state where every Minnesotan can contribute and thrive.
Free Tax Help Now Available
Tax filing season has started and Free Tax Preparations Centers are now open across Minnesota. You may qualify for free tax preparation help from IRS-certified volunteers at locations across Minnesota for your federal and state income tax returns. Qualified taxpayers are age 60 or older, have a disability, speak limited or no English, or have income less than $54,000 per year.
The state Department of Revenue indicates that free tax preparation services are provided at Highland Park Library for selected hours on Thursdays. For more details, as well as other locations and times, click here to access the list of free tax preparation sites.
#FightingforFamilies – February 5-9
Monday, February 5, 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). To commemorate the anniversary, I will be joining legislative colleagues from around the country to kick off the #FightingforFamilies Week of Action by drawing attention to state efforts to expand and strengthen paid leave policies. I will be sharing more information about this effort on my facebook page this week. Stay tuned!
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
www.facebook.com/repdavepinto.com
Sign up for legislative updates at http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/join.asp?id=15444