Legislative Update – March 15, 2024
Dear Neighbors,
Last week, I was proud to join folks from our district and across the state for the 2024 Family Farm Breakfast put on by the Land Stewardship Project. I participated in a panel alongside Attorney General Ellison and Minnesota Department of Agriculture Emerging Famers Office Director Lillian Otieno. I met with some activists from Smoke-Free MN, folks from Prairie Creek School, and representatives from the Scott and Rice County Soil and Conservation Districts.
I also presented bills to both the Pensions Commission and the House Judiciary Committee. In Pensions, the commission passed my proposal to allow employers to match contributions towards student loan payments and in Judiciary we had the second stop for my bill giving landowners more information about drain tile on private property and how it might potentially impact public and private soil and water management downstream.
You can listen to my weekly radio interview with KYMN here
Agricultural Right to Repair
My latest column in the Northfield News is about my bipartisan bill to save farmers time and money by expanding Minnesota’s fair repair laws to cover agricultural equipment. Fair Repair laws help bring down repair prices, support small businesses, and encourage competition in the marketplace.
Farmers are asking us to expand our Fair Repair laws to help them remain profitable as they support their families and our local economy, and that’s why I will be advocating for HF 4800 in this legislative session. You can read the column in full here: Farmers should have autonomy to fix their own equipment - Rep. Kristi Pursell
House Approves 101 Environmental Projects
Minnesotans take pride in our legacy of environmental stewardship. That’s why DFLers passed legislation to fund 101 projects across our state that protect our wildlife, water, air, and soil.
The funding, which comes from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, uses a portion of our state lottery proceeds to ensure our environment and natural resources are protected for generations to come. You can learn more here: More than 100 projects on tap to receive environmental trust fund dollars.
2023 Tax Bill Programs
Last year we passed a tax bill that prioritized making life more affordable for working families, parents, and seniors. Now that tax season is upon us, I wanted to share some information about various programs you may be eligible for this year, including the Child Tax Credit, Property Tax Refund, Social Security Income Exemption, and the K-12 Credit and Subtraction.
EMT Training/Paramedic Scholarships Available
DFLers are working to address the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) statewide shortage. One of these initiatives, that I supported, funds a one-time appropriation of $3 million for up to 600 scholarships of $5,000 starting in the fall of 2024 to be awarded by June 30, 2026.
If you or anyone you know might be interested in this opportunity to serve the public and give back to the community, you can find eligibility information here.
Stay Connected!
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