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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jon Applebaum (DFL)

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Legislative Update - February 11, 2016

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Dear Neighbors,

 

It’s difficult to believe, but the 2016 legislative session is just a few weeks away with the gavel falling on March 8. Due to construction at the State Capitol, the upcoming, 10-week session will be one of the shortest in modern history. Traditionally, the vast majority of the attention during the even year of a biennium is given to the bonding bill, which funds capital improvements to Minnesota’s infrastructure needs in areas like higher education, corrections, parks and trails, and others.

 

Much unfinished business from the 2015 session remains, however, and coupled with the abbreviated length of the upcoming session, the pace will be especially fast. In particular, a comprehensive transportation bill, a package of property tax relief measures provided to homeowners, renters, and seniors, as well as targeted tax relief to small businesses, and action to halt the crushing burden of student loan debt should all be “no brainers,” but the manner in which they are passed will require bipartisan consensus. I’m looking forward to getting back to work with my colleagues to build upon a Minnesota economy that works for everyone.

 

Town Hall Meeting

Sen. Bonoff and I are hosting a Town Hall Meeting to gather input prior to the start of the 2016 legislative session. Our town hall will be held on Tuesday, February 23 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Minnetonka Community Center (14600 Minnetonka Blvd) inside the city council chambers. The event will provide an opportunity for you and other members of the community to share your priorities and ideas for the session. I’m looking forward to an engaging, open dialogue, and I hope to see you there.

 

Budget surplus provides opportunity for student debt relief in 2016

In case you missed it, I’d like to point you toward the Guest Column I recently authored for the Sun Sailor Newspaper. Despite a sizable budget surplus in 2015, we weren’t able to continue the two-year tuition freeze for all Minnesota state college and university students. Unless addressed, student loan debt will continue to hamper the ability of students and college graduates alike to be full participants in our economy. Our state’s fiscal situation is in a position to finally address this long-term and escalating problem, and I hope we can in 2016.

 

DISCLOSE Act

Last week, the DISCLOSE (Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections) Act was released. The DISCLOSE Act would, through an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, finally provide some transparency for the sources of the untold sums of dark money in our political campaigns. This is a simple, but important reform of Minnesota’s campaign finance system to eliminate a loophole that exempts political groups from reporting spending on “issue based” communications, even if those communications advocate for or against a candidate.

 

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision, Minnesotans have been inundated by television ads and fancy literature pieces paid for by outside spending groups. The sources of this money, funneled into organizations such as Super PACs, have been able to evade disclosure and scrutiny. While the DISCLOSE Act won’t stop these type of expenditures from occurring, it will shine a light on who is paying for them, as voters have a right to know such information. If majorities in both the House and Senate approve of this measure, the amendment will appear on the ballot for consideration during this November’s general election.

 

Stay in Touch

As we get closer to session, I encourage you to stay in touch with your comments and questions. Please feel free to call me at 651-296-9934 or email me at rep.jon.applebaum@house.mn, and if you’re on Twitter I invite you to follow me @JonApplebaum44B. It’s an honor to serve you at the Capitol.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jon Applebaum

State Representative