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Dear Granite City Neighbors,
I hope the summer has been treating you well! Before you head out for the Fourth of July holiday, I wanted to share the new laws that came into effect on July 1st.
This month, several of the laws we passed this session will take effect. You can find a comprehensive list of these new laws here. Here’s a highlight of what to look out for:
- E-12 Education Funding: We’re solidly investing in the education of Minnesota’s students by increasing per-pupil funding in public schools across the state, addressing the rising costs of special education services, and preserving access to voluntary pre-K for 4,000 of our youngest learners.
- Voter Privacy: Who you vote for has always been private, but now in Minnesota your party of choice when participating in a presidential nomination primary will no longer be public knowledge.
- DNR Funding: Many of us will be spending the week at the lake, or in one of Minnesota’s many parks. Millions in funding kicks in this month for the Department of Natural Resources, which helps to make sure the natural beauty of our state can be enjoyed for generations to come.
- Support for Veterans: Funding for our state’s veterans and active service members will take effect, including programs that assist with reintegration, veterans’ homes and cemeteries, the Armed Services Center, and enlistment and retention bonuses.
- Wage Theft Prevention & Enforcement: Minnesota will now have one of the strongest wage theft prevention laws in the nation. Our worker’s deserve and hour’s pay for an hour’s work, and these new laws will hold accountable those who would seek to cheat employees out of their hard-earned wages.
- Addressing the Opioid Crisis: In Minnesota, we’re going to start holding opioid manufacturers accountable for the crisis they helped create and profit from. New revenue from fees on manufacturers and distributors will be put towards prevention, treatments, and assistance for communities struggling to keep up with the public safety costs from the opioid crisis.
- Improving Safety at Correctional Facilities: As Vice Chair of the House Corrections Committee, I’m pleased that our increased investment in our correctional officers will be kicking in. Starting this month, correctional facilities across Minnesota will be able to hire additional staff to ensure that these facilities and the surrounding communities are properly supported.
You can also find a list of all of our new laws here. Many have already been implemented, and more will follow on August 1st.
Fourth of July Events
There’s a lot to do this week in St. Cloud as we all take the time to celebrate our freedom and those who make that freedom possible. St. Cloud’s festivities will be capped with a fireworks display starting at 10pm, with great views at both Hester and Wilson Park. You can find more information here.
Stay In Touch!
There’s more work to be done to move Minnesota forward, and until the Legislature reconvenes on February 11, 2020, I’ll be back home working with you to find solutions. Please feel free to call me at (651) 296-6612, or email me at rep.dan.wolgamott@house.mn if you have any questions, comments, or solutions to improve Minnesota together.
Go Huskies!
Rep. Dan Wolgamott |