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Rep. Haley Legislative Update (9-27)

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Hello friends and neighbors,

I hope you’ve been enjoying these beautiful, albeit warm, fall days! In this update I want to share about my trip to D.C. last week, some community recognition, and inform our high school juniors about the High School Page Program.

Trip to Washington D.C.:

Last week, I attended a conference in Washington D.C. about addressing student debt.  The meeting was organized by PEW and the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL) and brought together researchers, as well as federal and state representative, to discuss the over trillion dollar student debt crisis and how federal and state policies can align to address it. More students are going to college than ever before – which is a good thing. All students need some post-secondary training, work experience, military training or education. However, students and families need to be well informed and carefully choose the institutions they attend, how much they spend, and how much they borrow.  We discussed trends in student debt, college costs, student loan tax benefits, financing, and financial literacy for students and families taking on loans. 

Last session, the MN legislature took a multi-faceted approach to begin to address student debt. We passed a first-in-the-nation tax credit for principal and interest on student loan payments, lowered the family responsibility on the State Grant Program, provided tax credit for parents using 529 plans to save for college, allotted scholarship monies for in-demand fields, and worked with the U of M and MN State Colleges on tuition freezes. 

I also had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Jason Lewis’s staff to discuss topics that are important to our district and state: health insurance, workforce, and educational pathways for young people. We also discussed the current situation in Wabasha to address the Army Corp of Engineers 40-year plan for dredging. I am actively working with city leaders and involved government agencies. I feel confident that your voices are being heard and that together we will land on a better long-term solution!

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Community Recognition:

Congratulations to Red Wing for receiving not one, but THREE grants from The Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee! They are working to create a lasting legacy for Minnesota by funding community-led efforts across our state that focus on building a healthier, more active future for Minnesota’s kids. With the support of community partners including the Jones Family Foundation, 3M, and others, the MNSBHC awarded three grants, totaling over $110,000 in funding, to the Red Wing School District and Goodhue County Social Services to support initiatives that will help improve the health and wellness of local young people. 

A $50,940 grant was awarded to the Red Wing School District to create a convenient place for students to access breakfast at Red Wing High School. The MNSBHC Legacy Fund donated $10,000 worth of equipment to Sunnyside Elementary to establish a “Super School Breakfast” at the school.  It also provided $50,000 to Goodhue County Health & Human Services to renovate a playground and sports field in the community.

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Congratulations to Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing for receiving the Vizient 2017 Bernard A. Birnbaum, M.D. Quality Leadership Award! This award honors Mayo Clinic as the top hospital among academic medical centers and community hospitals nationwide for delivering safe, timely, effective, efficient and equitable patient-centered care. Mayo Clinic in Rochester ranked 1st out of 107 academic medical centers and Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing ranked 1st out of 161 community hospitals. I am happy to see such an amazing asset to our community recognized!

High School Page Program:

Applications for the 2018 Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program have now been mailed to our local schools. I encourage any high school junior interested in the political process to apply.

Throughout the week-long program, pages will assist state representatives and staff in the House Chamber during session, observe how committees are conducted, meet individually with their local state representative (me), and learn how legislation moves through the political process. This program also gives students the opportunity to meet with constitutional officers, members of the judiciary, lobbyists, and members of the media.

To learn more and to apply, click here

Stay In Touch:

If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding anything related to state government, please do not hesitate to contact me at rep.barb.haley@house.mn or 651-296-8635.

I appreciate your comments and concerns as it helps me be a better representative.

Sincerely,

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