Dear Neighbors,
The first week of session is in the books as we got back to work fulfilling our promises to improve Minnesota. We are ready to move forward in a unified manner to ensure urgent needs are met across the state. Affordable child care, improved education, paid family leave and sick time and infrastructure funding (including Highway 65!) are just a few of our priorities this session. You can watch House and Senate leadership discuss our shared priorities here.
To stay informed with my day-to-day activity be sure to follow my newly created official Facebook page here. Also, be sure to invite your friends and neighbors to subscribe to my updates here.
We have already taken action on several important issues, including announcing our plan to legalize adult-use cannabis.You can watch that press conference here.
This is just the beginning of what should be an eventful session. I’ll be sure to keep you informed of future developments!
It is an absolute honor to serve our wonderful community. I'm ready to get to work!
Tax Conformity
As I was talking with community members over the past summer and fall, I heard repeatedly how important lowering costs for families was. Well, I got to work right away on this issue. In the Taxes Committee, where I serve as vice chair, we passed a bill for federal tax conformity which will reduce taxes on Minnesotans and their businesses across the state while simplifying the filing process. This was a bipartisan effort and I will continue to put Minnesotans first.
DEED Accepting Applications for Small Businesses
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has launched the Small Business Loan Participation Program as part of the recently announced $97 million State Small Business Credit Initiative.
Desired qualifications for lenders include those that prioritize reaching socially and economically disadvantaged individuals owned businesses or CDFI Investment Areas. These businesses include Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, veterans, and rural residents, among other economically disadvantaged individuals. DEED is now accepting proposals from lenders on DEED’s Competitive Grants and Contracts page. Proposals must be submitted by Today, January 6, 2023, at 4:30 p.m.
Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.matt.norris@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-2907. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here, and follow my Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch!
Sincerely,
Matt Norris, District 32B
507 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155