Legislative Update- March 1, 2022

Dear Neighbors,

It’s hard to believe March is already here! With lighter and brighter days, we have much to look forward to this spring in Minnesota.

Here’s an update from the Capitol:

Frontline Worker Pay Advances

This week, the Minnesota House passed with my support the frontline worker bonus pay legislation HF 2900, which appropriates $1 billion for bonus payments to at least 667,000 frontline workers. The frontline worker bonus pay legislation builds upon the efforts of last year’s working group on this issue, and invests $1 billion in order to meaningfully recognize the Minnesotans who have worked on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible workers would receive payments of up to $1,500. You can read my official statement here. There has been no action taken on this measure in the Senate.

Minnesota’s Revised Budget Surplus

Yesterday, the Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) Agency announced a new economic forecast showing a historic $9.25 billion budget surplus for the current biennium. MMB cites “a higher income, consumer spending, and corporate profit forecast [have resulted] in an improved revenue projection while spending is slightly lower in E-12 education and Health and Human Services.” You can review MMB’s thorough presentation here. It’s important to keep in mind the analysis does not include inflation or the various impacts of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.

Public Safety Update

Now that we have a clearer picture of our state budget, the legislature will begin to narrow our focus on priorities to put working Minnesotans first. At our recent public safety town hall, folks expressed interest in additional peace officer presence in our area to address the recent rise in crime. Last week, I presented legislation I’m authoring to the Public Safety Committee to create new incentive bonuses up to $10,000 to help recruit new peace officers. This is one way we can help fill the officer shortage.

As we continue to find strategies to enhance public safety in our communities, the approach must be multi-pronged. In 2021, we not only increased funding for law enforcement, but improved coordination and response to mental health calls, modernized training standards, invested in community violence prevention, substantially reformed our sexual assault laws, and cracked down on catalytic converter thefts. There’s more to do and as a member of the Public Safety Committee, I look forward to reviewing all policies and bills that address the need.

Community Spotlight

A big congratulations to Rosemount High School Senior Whitney Tuttle on being named the 2022 Pioneer Press East Metro Girls Hockey Player of the Year! You can read more about this distinguished award from the Pioneer Press here. Go Irish!

Pictured at Rosemount Ice Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, photo courtesy of Pioneer Press

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.john.huot@house.mn or call 651-296-4306. Don’t hesitate to let me know how I can help.

It’s an honor to serve you at the State Capitol.

Sincerely,
John