 Hello Friends, I hope your 2024 is off to an amazing start! On my end, the start of the new year has been primarily focused on our return to the state legislature next month, with the 2024 legislative session beginning on February 12. Today, I had the honor of speaking to the Shakopee Chamber of Commerce to provide an update on our work.  As we look to the work of 2024, it’s important to remember that together we accomplished some major things for Shakopee and Minnesota last year, and we’re still seeing the impact of that work as new laws go into effect. Just this month, several crucial new laws were enacted, including Earned Sick and Safe Time, which requires employers to provide one hour of sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked, earning a maximum of 48 hours each year unless the employer agrees to a higher amount.  Under the new law, an employee is eligible for sick and safe time if they work at least 80 hours in a year for an employer in Minnesota, and are not an independent contractor. You can find more information on the Department of Labor and Industry’s page here. Another notable change is the new Red Flag Law (or extreme risk protection orders), which keeps guns out of the hands of people who pose a known, serious risk to themselves or others. You can read more on the common sense gun safety measures that we passed last year below.  Summaries of all the new laws we passed during the 2023 legislative session are available online from nonpartisan House Public Information Services, and can be found here. Principal for a DayEarlier this month, I had a great morning with Sweeney’s Principal Bell and the wonderful students for Principal for a Day! Thank you Principal Bell and students for showing me all the incredible work being done in Shakopee Schools!  Last year, we delivered record funding for Shakopee’s students, sending them back to the classroom with $15.9 million in new investments - including an increase in per-pupil funding, better access to mental health service, and free breakfast and lunch for all students. As we prepare to head back to St. Paul, what would you like to see us work on for our schools? New Snowplow Name FinalistsThe Minnesota Department of Transportation has narrowed down the options for this year’s new snowplow names - snowplows that I imagine we’ll eventually see on the road again after the heatwave we’re currently experiencing ends.  Best in Snow, Fast and Flurrious, and SKOL Plow are just some of the great options to choose from. You have until Sunday, January 28, to pick your favorites, which you can do here. Whether you have questions on our new laws, ideas for what we should take on in the Minnesota House this year, or a snowplow name that made it to the finals, please feel free to contact my office! I look forward to hearing from you! Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn.gov Jared Margolis, Legislative Assistant | Jared.Margolis@house.mn.gov |