Legislative Update from Rep. Michael V. Nelson

Friends and neighbors, 

Could it be that spring has finally arrived? While we look forward to a warmer weekend, this week has been full of working on good policy to help Minnesota families thrive. Last night, we passed policy packages in several issue areas to prepare our state for a brighter future. Over the next few weeks, we will continue to pass good governance packages to build upon our work from last year. 

In the Labor Committee, we’re continuing to put together a package to improve working conditions, strengthen protections, and address pay inequality. The Senate has already passed its version, and we expect to vote on ours in the coming weeks. Here are some of the highlights: 

• Updating the minimum wage to match the small employer wage to the standard wage. With this change, no matter your employer, the minimum wage will be set at $10.85 statewide. We also are making changes to the formula to better account for inflation.  
• Requiring all job postings to include a salary range. This is a vital step in striving for pay equality. This transparency will put jobseekers, especially women, in a stronger negotiating position and will help them to identify genuine professional opportunities. It could also help employers attract a larger and better-suited pool of applicants. 
•  Closing loopholes allowing “shadow” non-competes. This bill will build upon last year’s legislation to address this issue, closing a few loopholes that effectively acted as noncompete clauses.  
• Repealing a rule that allowed restaurants and other employers to charge servers credit card fees, often taken out of tips. 

Investing in Brooklyn Park and Osseo

The Capital Investment Committee is hard at work crafting an infrastructure package for local projects all across Minnesota. I have proposed a few projects for Brooklyn Park and Osseo, including permitting the development of a biotech innovation district and a change to renovation plans for the Brooklyn Park Community Center. Last year’s plans sought to convert the ice rink to basketball and pickleball courts, but feedback from the community has shown a desire to maintain the ice rink and instead build an addition onto the center that would house the new courts. This bill would allow flexibility in funding for the center to do so. I’m hopeful we can get these done for our community.  

Minnesota’s 5th Season: Construction

Spring means construction season is RAMPing up!  

Your usual routes to school or work might be impacted. You can check and see what projects will be starting soon here. 

Tax Day is April 15

Last year, DFLers made big moves to help working families, and you’ll feel some of the benefits this year as you file your 2023 taxes.  

If you’re a renter, don't forget to claim your property tax refund! This is the first year renters will be able to receive their Renter’s Credit with their tax filing rather than later in the year. Along with making it simpler and more convenient, we also expanded the credit to many Minnesotans who didn’t qualify previously.     

I also want to remind you that nearly 300,000 Minnesota households are eligible for the nation-leading Child Tax Credit! With our Child Tax Credit, families will save up to $1,750 for each dependent. Democrats are cutting child poverty by one-third with this rebate. You can claim the tax credit by filing a 2023 income tax return. The $1,750 credit is for each child 17 years old and younger, with no limit on the number of children. For all tax filers, this credit begins to phase out at an income level of $35,000 and fully phases out at a maximum of $90,750 for a family with four children. Minnesota families: If you qualify, file your taxes to make sure you claim the benefits available to you. 

Keep in Touch

To stay up to date with our important work at the State Capitol, you can see the Minnesota House of Public Information Services’ nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. 

To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.michael.nelson@house.mn.gov or 651-296-3751, and I will be happy to help.  

If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe. 

Have a great weekend.  

In solidarity,  

Michael V. Nelson