March 15: Legislative Update, SURVEY

Dear Neighbors,

It’s an honor to serve our community at the State Capitol. The legislative session began January 5th. I’d like your feedback on the issues that we are discussing this year.

As your Representative, I am committed to ensuring that the State of Minnesota supports all residents as we recover and rebuild from COVID-19. I am focused on policies that will increase access to affordable health care, ensure public safety, work for quality education, expand protections for workers, and create targeted job training and workforce development to ensure economic opportunity and security for all.

If you’d like, please complete and return this survey. Feel free to get in touch with me anytime. I appreciate hearing from you!

Town Meeting this Saturday, March 20th

On March 20th at 11 A.M. I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting with Senator Rest and Representative Freiberg to address legislative issues important to our district. I hope you are available to join us on Zoom.

You can RSVP to join on the Zoom call and submit your questions prior to the event on the following google form, or simply watch the live-broadcast of the event my Facebook page.

You will receive the Zoom link the day before the event. We look forward to having you there. Democracy works when we show up for our community! 

Surcharge Waivers on Traffic Violations

Recently, I introduced legislation that would permit courts to reduce or waive a fine, fee, or the surcharge imposed on criminal and traffic offenders based on a defendant’s ability to pay.

Currently, a court must impose a surcharge on every conviction in Minnesota. The surcharge applies to criminal convictions and petty misdemeanors including all traffic violations and parking offenses. The surcharge for parking violations is $12. The surcharge for all other offenses is $75. A court cannot waive the surcharge.

This bill aims to build equity and account for financial hardship. The measure also includes requirements to communicate waiver resources through informational language printed on traffic tickets. 

House File 306 has successfully passed through both the Public Safety and Judiciary Finance Committee; now on its way to the Ways and Means Committee for further consideration. You can track the bill here. 

Reduced COVID-19 Restrictions in MN Starting Today

Beginning today, Minnesotans can safely gather with more friends and loved ones and do more to support small businesses harmed the most by COVID-19. Governor Walz and public health officials say restrictions can be eased because Minnesotans are following public health guidelines, hospitalizations are falling, and the state is weeks ahead of schedule on vaccinations. Nearly 1.2 million Minnesotans and more than 70 percent of seniors have gotten a shot. Click here to watch Gov. Walz’s news conference announcing the changes, or click here to read coverage from the Star Tribune.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Conformity 

In December 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations which explicitly exempted forgiven PPP loans from being counted as taxable income. Currently Minnesota counts these forgiven loans as taxable income. Minnesotans expect the Legislature to ensure fairness as we determine who will benefit from conformity and by how much, or else we could end up putting big profitable corporations ahead of Minnesotans who need help the most. 

The Paycheck Protection Program Conformity raised many big questions after passing through the MN Senate. Our approach in the MN House will ensure the equity and fairness for smaller businesses and suffering families.

Please feel free to reach out to me with your thoughts and concerns around the PPP federal conformity question. I welcome your engagement.

Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

Since taking effect last July, the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy has reported that 465 Minnesotans have obtained access to life-saving insulin thanks to the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act.

This is one small, but significant step forward in our efforts to make lifesaving medication affordable to anyone who needs it. It’s also a tangible example of what we can do for people when we work together on bipartisan solutions for Minnesotans.

If you or anyone you know might need an urgent need of a 30-day supply of affordable insulin, please visit MNinsulin.org where you can see if you qualify, download the application, and learn how to apply today.