Legislative Update - Supporting Teachers & Safe Schools

Dear Granite City Neighbors, 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and got the chance to enjoy the nice weather! I was busy hosting a big community event on Friday afternoon (more on that later) so I wasn’t able to get you your newsletter at the regularly scheduled time. But I will try my best to make it worth your wait with an especially interesting and action-packed newsletter!

Here is your latest update from the Capitol:

Sambusas with the Speaker

On Friday, I hosted local Somali-American community members and my Minnesota House colleagues for delicious sambusas and crucial conversations about the future of our community.

I’m proud of all we’ve delivered for the Somali-American community in St. Cloud. I’m eager to build off our accomplishments in housing, business development, education, and continue providing opportunities for success.

Special thanks to the Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, Rep. Mohamud Noor, Rep. Hodan Hassan, and Rep. Samakab Hussein, for coming to St. Cloud to connect with my constituents.

We’re bringing all the stories and issues we heard this weekend with us to the Capitol to continue delivering results for Somali-Americans in Central Minnesota.

Rallying Support for Teacher Pensions

I had the honor of joining over 1,500 educators at the Capitol to gin up support for my bill to allow educators the flexibility to retire between the ages of 58-62 without losing a significant amount of their pension. 

I’ll be utilizing my position on the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement to get closer to the competitive, sustainable pensions package that our educators deserve. Strong pensions = strong schools!

Supporting Our School Resource Officers

Making our schools stronger is so much bigger than any one single issue, and lately, we’ve been focused on legislation surrounding our School Resource Officers - or SROs. 

Last Monday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed comprehensive legislation to provide a uniform system across the state for districts that decide to have an SRO program with bipartisan support. The bill, HF 3489, would provide the clarity law enforcement agencies and school districts need so that SROs can continue their vitally important work of keeping schools safe.

This is an issue I’ve been working on since August - having led a group of legislators in a meeting with Governor Walz to take action on the issue. The Senate is expected to take up the bill soon.

SROs enhance public safety in our schools by building positive and trusting relationships with students and staff, and we owe them our full support and gratitude. I couldn’t be more proud to have voted for this bill, and you can read more about this legislation here. 

“From the Capitol” Radio Interview

Be sure to tune in to WJON every Wednesday at 10:40am, when I join Kelly Cordes to discuss the latest legislative news. Last week, we spent most of our time doing a deeper dive on the issue above - teacher pensions and the SRO bill. You can listen here, and you can tune in every week on WJON, Wednesdays at 10:40am.

2024 Tax Changes

This Tax season, make sure you’re taking advantage of the new changes we implemented last year - changes that made Minnesota’s tax system the most equitable among US states, with several new credits, refunds, and exemptions are now available.

You can find more information and resources at the Minnesota Department of Revenue. 

Stay Connected

That’s it for the past week! As always, I hope you’ll reach out with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas you have regarding my work in the Minnesota House. Feel free to email me at rep.dan.wolgamott@house.mn.gov or give my office a call at 651-296-6612.

You can also stay up to date by following my official Facebook page, subscribing to these regular email updates if you haven’t already, and checking my legislative webpage for the latest information from my office. 

I hope you’re adjusting to the clock change, and that you enjoy the resulting hour of sunlight!

Sincerely, 

Rep. Dan Wolgamott

Speaker Pro Tempore

District 14B