Dear Neighbors,
Here’s an update from another busy week at the State Capitol.
You’re Invited: Virtual Town Hall Next Wednesday
All Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to care for themselves, a newborn, or an ailing family member. This value guides my work at the Capitol, including my legislation the House passed recently to expand Earned Sick and Safe Time to all Minnesota workers. This bill provides everyone the opportunity to stay home when they are sick or to visit the doctor.
A separate bill to deliver Paid Family & Medical Leave for workers is also advancing through the Legislature. This tool would allow workers time to bond with a new child, care for a loved one with a long-term illness or other serious health condition.
To learn more about this proposal, I invite you to join Rep. Alicia Kozlowski, Sen. Jen McEwen and me for a Virtual Town Hall Meeting next Wednesday, March 15 at 6 p.m. We will be joined by Sen. Dr. Alice Mann who is championing this bill in the Senate.
The gathering will take place on Zoom. We hope you can join us! Please click here to RSVP and submit any questions you may have.
Capital Investment Legislation Moves Forward
No matter where they live, all Minnesotans deserve to live in safe, vibrant, and inclusive communities. Modern infrastructure is key to ensuring our local, regional, and state economies can continue to grow. Last week, the House passed a pair of capital investment bills for local jobs and projects throughout the state, including here in Duluth. The investments were split between a $1.5 billion bonding bill (HF 669), using General Obligation (GO) bonds, and a $393 million cash bill (HF 670) through the general fund.
Locally, the package included funding for integrated manufacturing workforce labs at Lake Superior College, improvements at the Duluth Veterans Cemetery, Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center renovations, repair and replacement of facilities at Spirit Mountain, and Armory Arts and Music Center renovations. It also extends authorization for previously approved bonding for the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District’s combined heat and power system. These capital investment bills were thoughtfully assembled over the past two years with a vision to strengthen our entire state featuring projects ready for work to quickly begin. It’s now time for the Senate to work together on a bipartisan basis to complete the work of investing in these key projects.
New Budget Forecast
Last week, Minnesota Management and Budget announced the February Budget and Economic Forecast. Minnesota has a $17.5 billion budget balance projected for the next biennium, nearly the same number projected during the last forecast in November. Following passage of a new law to improve honest budgeting, for the first time in two decades the forecast fully accounts for inflation.
Soon, House committees will begin assembling a new two-year state budget. As we embark on this work, House DFLers are fully committed to delivering for Minnesotans through strong investments in schools, making health care more affordable, and ensuring our economy can work for everyone.
Please continue to keep in touch with your input about our work on a new state budget, or any other issue that is important to you. I also invite you to “like” my Facebook page for more frequent updates from Saint Paul. I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Liz Olson
State Representative