Students visiting from Jenny Lind Elementary School
Constituent Mary Gorzicki visiting for LifeSource’s Donate Life Day at the Capitol
Youth from the Jerry Gamble Boys & Girls Club visiting for Boys & Girls Club Day
Legislative Updates
House Budget Targets
House Republicans announced their budget targets this week; the final piece needed for committees to craft the budget for the next two years. The Republican budget makes deep cuts to health and human services, underfunds education, and includes a tax giveaway for the owners of corporations. We are still waiting for details in most budget areas.
House Property Tax Proposal
Last weekend, House Republicans released their property tax bill. Unfortunately, the main item in this legislation is a tax giveaway for commercial and industrial property owners and corporations. These tax giveaways should be focused on efforts to improve the economic outcomes for Minnesota families, not the corporations.
For-Profit Prison Bill
On Tuesday, the House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee heard HF 1510. This bill allows Minnesota to conduct business with for-profit prison corporations like Corrections Corporation of America (recently rebranded to “CoreCivic”). The bill would require Minnesota to buy or lease the for-profit prison facility owned by Corrections Corporation of America in Appleton, MN.
There are many issues with for-profit prisons, including weakened safety and security, and adverse effects on low-income Minnesotans and people of color. We should be looking at ways to help Minnesotans reform their lives, instead of incentivizing corporations to throw more people in jail to make money. This is why I have co-authored HF 1692. This bill would prohibit the use of for-profit prions in Minnesota and placement of inmates in for-profit prisons. Unfortunately, the House Republicans has failed to give this bill a hearing in committee.
Local News
Community Coffee & Conversation
I want to share an opportunity for neighbors to come and hang out with each other. On the first Thursday of each month, Serendripity Spot (3300 Lyndale Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412) offers complimentary tea and coffee for neighbors to come and meet Fourth Precinct police officers in a casual and friendly setting, so you can get to know them. The community coffee and conversation are held from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
I encourage you to contact me with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Also, I am available during select hours on Monday and Friday mornings most weeks for in-district meetings, if Northside residents aren’t able to make it to the Capitol. If you would like to send me a message or set up an in-district meeting, you can reach me by phone at 651-296-4262 or by email at rep.fue.lee@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you!