Dear Neighbors:
The 2018 legislative session begins at noon today. Several issues are expected to get considerable attention this session, including bonding (long-term borrowing in order to invest in state infrastructure), taxation, and state spending in the second year of the two-year budget (biennium). Throughout this session, I will continue to push for an agenda that allows everyone in our state to contribute and thrive - and to fight hard against any agenda that doesn’t.
Keep in Touch
Please keep in touch throughout the session. In addition to these newsletters, I am posting regularly on my legislative Facebook page. I am also reachable via email, though a warning that the volume gets very heavy; I do my best to respond in a timely way.
Chat with Dave – March 4
One way to keep in touch is to join me for a Chat with Dave. These are informal conversations with neighbors about the legislative session and the issues that are important to you. The next Chat is on Sunday, March 4, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm, at the Highland Park Library (1974 Ford Parkway). You can see more details here.
State Employee Contracts
One important item that the Legislature needs to act on immediately is the approval of the state employee contracts that were negotiated in good faith on behalf of the over 30,000 workers employed by the state of Minnesota. You might recall back in October when these contracts were rejected by the Legislative Subcommittee on Employee Relations, which has oversight of the contract approval process. I will be pushing for us to approve these contracts as early as possible in the session so that our state workers are treated fairly and their work is respected with dignity.
Focus (Again) on Gun Violence
Once again, our nation has been stunned by a mass shooting – an occurrence that now comes with awful regularity. Americans are killed by guns at rates higher than almost any other country not at war. IT IS TIME FOR THIS TO END. I’ve introduced common-sense bills for criminal background checks and gun violence protective orders – but these have failed even to receive a hearing from the Republican majority. On Thursday, February 22, at 2:00pm, there will be a rally at the Capitol in support of these and other measures to reduce gun violence. Please join if you can. I will continue to push to make our families and communities safer.
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