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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Ben Lien (DFL)

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Legislative Update - February 9, 2016

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Greetings from Moorhead,

 

Late last week Governor Dayton withdrew his request for a Special Session to occur ahead of the regular Legislative Session, which will begin on March 8.  The issues discussed for a Special Session were Minnesota’s compliance with the federal REAL ID law, extending unemployment benefits for laid off Iron Range workers and solutions to address the economic disparities that exist between white Minnesotans and minorities.  Governor Dayton and legislative leaders began meeting late last year to discuss a possible Special Session; however, no definitive agreement was reached on any of the issues. 

 

Some reprieve on the REAL ID issue came last month when the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Minnesota would get a two year extension before having to comply with the REAL ID law for people to board commercial airliners.  The final compromise on REAL IDs will likely allow the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to work with DHS on the matter. 

 

There was some agreement coalescing for the Iron Range workers that would include an extension of unemployment benefits and an Unemployment Insurance tax cut for employers.  Rep. Jim Knoblach and Sen. Bobby Joe Champion co-chaired the legislative working group tasked with addressing economic disparities.  Rep. Knoblach proposed an extension of education tax credits that would increase the number of households eligible for the credit, align the credit to closer match education tax deductions including private school tuition and increase the credit from $1,000 to $3,500 per student. Sen. Champion proposed more resources for worker training, minority entrepreneurs and the Department of Human Rights. 

 

I anticipate all of these issues will be addressed during the regular Legislative Session.  Also, we need to look at Iron Range unemployment benefits and economic disparities in a long-term manner.  Although we can take action to address these issues this year, we must develop a better understanding of comprehensive economic opportunities for these two groups, and in turn, all Minnesotans.   

 

Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve,

 

Ben