Dear Neighbors,
It’s difficult to believe August is already here, and I hope everyone is enjoying summer! For my part, I’ve been taking advantage of opportunities to get outside with my family and enjoy everything our wonderful community has to offer and the natural treasures throughout northern Minnesota.
I’ve also been highlighting our transformative work during this year’s legislative session to improve lives and create opportunities for Minnesotans to thrive. This was a historically productive session and the impacts of our work will benefit workers, students, families, and communities for years to come. Recent activities include a press conference at the Downtown Duluth Library with legislative colleagues and community leaders, “Let’s Do Lunch, Duluth” with the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, an event at the Duluth Depot discussing transportation investments, hosting Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan at the Duluth Historic Armory to spotlight our infrastructure investments, and an event with Secretary of State Steve Simon to talk about our steps forward to protect our democracy.
You’re Invited – Virtual Town Hall Meeting Aug. 16
Following the most consequential legislative session in recent memory, there’s a great deal of work we did at the State Capitol to unpack, and I know many people are interested in learning more. Please join Rep. Alicia Kozlowski, Sen. Jen McEwen, and me on Wednesday night, August 16 at 6 p.m. for a Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Zoom. Each of us will discuss this session’s accomplishments from our perspectives while answering questions from community members and addressing ideas for actions we can take in the future.
The event is nonpartisan and everyone is invited. To join us, click here to RSVP and submit a question if you’d like. You’ll receive information to access the Zoom meeting on the day of the town hall.
New Laws Taking Effect
As a result of the bills we passed this session, including a new two-year state budget and the historic investments contained within it, many new laws took effect July 1 with another wave of them becoming effective yesterday. The complete volume of our work is too much to fully outline in this update, but some highlights include universal gun background checks, free school meals, many protections for workers, a prohibition on hair discrimination, measures to address catalytic converter thefts, changes to rules of the road for cyclists, and so much more. House Public Information Services has an exhaustive list of the session’s new laws.
Notably, cannabis officially became legal in Minnesota yesterday. The Office of Cannabis Management has launched, and you can learn more about changes regarding use, possession, and growth, starting a cannabis-related business, and criminal expungement on their website.
Also, as part of a bipartisan agreement, lawmakers made significant investments in nursing homes to stabilize a sector of our economy facing massive hardship. Yesterday, facilities in Duluth received a combined $2 million to help them support residents including Hilltop Healthcare Rehab, Bayshore Residence and Rehab Center, Bayshore Health Center, the North Shore Estates, Franciscan Health Center, Viewcrest Health Center, Benedictine Health Center, and Aftenro Home. The budget includes funding for an additional $2 million worth of payments next August.
Reminder – Property Tax Refund Deadline Aug. 15
Many folks have been struggling with increasing property taxes in recent years. To address, this problem, I supported using some of our budget surplus to offer property tax cuts at the state level and put money back in the pockets of Minnesotans, including funding increases for the Homestead Credit Refund and Renter’s Property Tax Refund of 20.5%
In some cases, you must file a Form M1PR by August 15 to qualify. Each year, many homeowners and renters lose out on these refunds only because they forgot to file. The Minnesota Department of Revenue has more details, including eligibility and instructions.
Please continue to be in touch with your feedback and input. It’s an honor to represent you.
Sincerely,
Liz Olson
State Representative