Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Like you, I've had a busy week. I had my first ever live TV appearance on TPT Almanac on Wednesday. You can watch that below. We also had our first long night on the House Floor where we fought, unsuccessfully, for a more defined plan from the Walz Administration before throwing more money at the MNLARs debacle. Today I will be up in St. Cloud for a joint hearing of the Jobs & Economic Development Committee with the Early Childhood Committee to get input from people in greater Minnesota about the shortage of childcare options and the impact that has on employment. I hope you all have a great weekend!
TPT Almanac Interview
On Wednesday, I joined Mary Lahammer and fellow first-term representative DFLer Jeff Brand in the House Gallery for TPT's Almanac at the Capitol. We each gave our perspectives on the biggest issues of the session so far, including our thoughts on the gun bills in committee that night and Gov. Walz's 70% gas tax hike. Almanac also featured a "back-to-school" segment we filmed a couple of weeks ago. Take a look at both below!
Rogers' Pedestrian Bridge
The City of Rogers has proposed a bonding request to fund a pedestrian bridge over I-94 to ensure safe crossing between the north and south sides of the city, which is cut in half by I-94. When I-94 was built, Rogers only had 600 residents and pedestrian crossings were not required as part of highway construction in residential areas. If the highway were built today, it would likely be planned with a pedestrian crossing to ensure a safe crossing for children and families to get to schools, parks, and trails. This is a top priority for the City of Rogers and I presented this proposal in committee alongside Mayor Rick Ihli and Steve Stahmer, Rogers' City Administrator.
Rep. Robbins with Rogers' Mayor Rick Ihli and Steve Stahmer, City Administrator
February Economic Forecast
Although the amount of the surplus has declined from $1.5 billion to $1.05 billion since the November forecast, the state is still collecting more than $1 billion in tax revenue than was budgeted for the current year. Gov. Walz should not be increasing the state budget by 9% and proposing $3 billion in additional tax increases when we are still running a surplus. We need to do the job Minnesotans elected us to do and govern within our means. I will continue to push back against unwarranted spending increases.
HAVA Funding
On Thursday, I voted to secure our statewide voting system by supporting spending $167,000 in state funds to leverage $6.6 million in federal funds that have already been granted to Minnesota under the federal program called the Help America Vote Act or HAVA. We have to start these upgrades now if we are going to be ready. Additionally, Minnesota is the ONLY one of the 50 states that has not accessed the federal grant money and started upgrading their system yet. That makes us an especially likely target in 2020 and we have to start these security upgrades now.
The Senate took a different approach and added several election-related policy changes to the bill that was not in the House version. Both Chambers will conference and get a final bill together soon. My goal is to release the federal money and ensure our elections system is as secure as possible from cyber attacks.
Things to Know
Minnesota has an AWESOME Library system! In addition to our wonderful community libraries, there is a virtual library system called MNLink that you can use to get books, movies, music or access to research collections around the world! This is a great resource for seniors, students, teachers and anyone else who wants greater access to materials than what you find in the local library.
How it works:
1) Search www.mnlink.org and request your items.
2) Pick up items when they are delivered to your local library - or access online resources immediately!
MNLINK is run by Minitex, a joint program of the Office of Higher Education and the University of Minnesota Libraries. These are your tax dollars are work, so you should know you can have access to this system!
Photos of the Week
Rep. Robbins with two constituents with IBEW
Rep. Robbins at the Maple Grove State of the City Breakfast
Rep. Robbins on the House Floor with Rep. Matt Grossell as the House had their first late night on the floor
Please Contact Me
Many of you have already been in touch to discuss your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Thank you for sharing your ideas! Please continue to contact me to discuss any legislation put before the House or any other matters to which I can be of assistance. You can set up a time to visit me at the Capitol by calling me at 651-296-7806 or by email at rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn. My office is located on the second floor of the State Office Building in room 225.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve! Have a great weekend!
Kristin