Dear Neighbors,
We are truly in the final stretch of session. With only 10 days left, we are meeting in conference committees with our Senate colleagues to hash out the final versions of our various bills designed to improve the lives of working- and middle-class Minnesotans. Here’s an update from the Capitol.
1. Visit to Spring Lake Park High School - Training Future Professionals
- I had the honor of joining Commissioner Willie Jett and officials from the MN Department of Education and DEED at Spring Lake Park High School to tour their Career and Technical Education programs.
- These innovative classes will help make sure Minnesota has the workforce of the future so our economy can thrive!
- You can watch a story North Metro TV did on this fun and informative visit here.
2. Small Business Month - Boosting our Local Economy
- May is small business month! As I said to the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce, small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy. Here is some of what I’ve done as your Representative to help our local businesses.
- Last year, I passed five bills to tackle our workforce shortage, which is the number one concern I hear about from small businesses.
- I’ve authored a bill that would cut taxes for “microbusinesses” to help offset some of the higher costs they’ve faced in recent years.
- I’ve also authored a bill that would allow retailers to retain a “vendor allowance” to account for the costs of collecting sales tax on behalf of the state and local governments.
3. House Passes Farm to School Grants - Getting Fresh Food to our Schools
- My bill expanding the Farm to School grants was included in the Commerce, Ag, Climate & Energy Finance Bill which we passed last night.
- The bill builds up our popular Farm to School grant program to child care centers and family child care programs.
- This means more of our children will receive farm fresh and nutritious foods to fuel them as they grow and learn!
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