Legislative Update Friends and Neighbors, It has been another busy stretch at the Capitol as we continue working through legislation. Over the past week I've had the opportunity to meet with constituents, attend local events, and work on policy proposals aimed at strengthening school safety and improving affordability for Minnesota families. I wanted to share a few updates on some of the work happening both at the Capitol and back home in our district. Practical Steps to Protect our Schools Keeping students safe at school should always be a priority and it's become clear that major change is needed. That's why I authored HF 3493, legislation that expands access to Minnesota’s safe schools funding so more schools can strengthen security, upgrade facilities, and support student safety efforts. This bill takes a practical approach. It expands eligibility for safe schools funding to include charter schools, nonpublic schools, tribal contract schools, and cooperative units, ensuring more schools responsible for educating Minnesota students have access to the resources needed to improve safety. Schools can use these funds for measures such as security personnel, upgraded entry systems, facility improvements, and student support services. These are straightforward steps that can help schools strengthen safety inside their buildings. A recent Star Tribune commentary from a parent whose child was present during the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School highlighted the importance of solutions like this. While much of the public conversation often focuses on national political debates, she pointed out that practical steps like expanding school safety funding can help schools implement real improvements right now. School safety shouldn't about headlines. We need to be making sure schools have the tools they need to protect the students and staff entrusted to their care. My bill is a common-sense step in that direction, and I look forward to the progress we can make by giving schools the resources they need to keep our kids safe and give parents greater peace of mind. A Top Priority at the Capitol: Making Life Affordable for MinnesotansAffordability continues to be one of the top concerns I hear from people across our district. Rightfully so. Families, workers, and small businesses are feeling the pressure of higher costs, and the Legislature has an opportunity to take real steps to provide relief. House Republicans have introduced several proposals aimed at helping Minnesotans keep more of the money they earn and encouraging economic growth in our state. These include measures to eliminate state taxes on overtime and tips, provide tax relief for small businesses investing in equipment and expansion, and align Minnesota’s tax code with federal provisions that make it easier for businesses to grow and create jobs. Taken together, these proposals are about rewarding hard work, supporting job creators, and making Minnesota a more competitive place to live and do business. We want Minnesota to be a state where if you work hard, you have the real opportunity to succeed, not just get by. Unfortunately, some of these efforts have already faced opposition. Just this week, Democrats voted in committee to block progress on a bill extending the Pass-Through Entity (PTE) tax, a policy that many small business owners rely on to help grow, especially when facing a tough business environment. I will continue supporting practical policies that reduce the tax burden and help make life more affordable for Minnesota families and businesses. You can watch Wednesday's Press Conference on Affordability by clicking the photo below:  Meeting with Family Residential Service Providers The other night I joined a group of Family Residential Service providers in Albertville for a town hall conversation about the work they do supporting vulnerable Minnesotans. These providers care for individuals who rely on them every day, helping people live safely and maintain as much independence as possible. For those of us who've watched a loved one struggle, we recognize just how important this is. Our discussion focused on the realities they see in their work, the challenges they face delivering care, and how policies being debated at the Capitol may affect the services they provide. Conversations like this are incredibly valuable because they give lawmakers the chance to hear directly from the people who are closest to these issues. I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to attend and share their perspective. Their experience and dedication are critical as we work to make thoughtful decisions that support both caregivers and the individuals they serve. |