Dear Neighbors,
I hope this email finds you well as the legislative session is now entering its fifth week. With this year’s abbreviated session, we’re already approaching bill deadlines. The first one was on Friday, when policy bills needed to be through all necessary committees in either the House or Senate. This coming Friday brings the second deadline, by when bills that meet the first deadline in one body must also do so in the other. These deadlines ensure a much faster pace around here with very fluid schedules and more frequent, lengthier committee hearings.
REAL ID
Last Tuesday, the House passed a bill finally moving Minnesota toward compliance with the federal REAL ID program by a vote of 125-2. Governor Dayton has since signed the bill. I’ve felt a sense of concern from many constituents over this issue regarding whether their current drivers licenses will be sufficient to board commercial flights, and if they will run into any problems down the road if they renew now. This bill repeals the state prohibition on complying with REAL ID and directs the state Department of Public Safety to start planning for implementation. Later in session, another bill will be needed to fully make this happen. While the federal Department of Homeland Security has given us a little bit of a breather by extending our compliance deadline to 2018, I will continue to work across the aisle so we can get this taken care of as soon as possible.
NEXT GENERATION SMALL BUSINESS ACT
Alongside Minnesota small business owners, legislators recently rolled-out the “Next Generation Main Street Act,” series of bills designed to support small businesses across the state. We worked with Minnesota small business owners to bring forward initiatives that will reduce costly audits, simplify tax filing for businesses, and make it easier for owners to transfer their businesses to a next generation owner. A key priority for me as a legislator is to give small businesses the tools they need to be successful over the long haul, and since many of them don’t have things like audit departments or legal teams, these provisions have the potential to help a great deal.
The Next Generation Main Street Act key components include:
Supporting Small Business Start-Ups & Entrepreneurs by making sure that every person that starts a small business in Minnesota is contacted and provided information about the resources available to them. In addition, legislators are working to assist business start-ups with gap financing through the Minnesota Initiative Foundations.
Helping with Succession Planning by providing grants to Small Business Development Centers to provide transaction services to business owners and next generation, non-family proprietors to help them take over a business.
Streamlining Audits by simplifying the process to reduce the amount of time and money small business owners must spend on costly audits in a number of ways
Simplifying Tax Filing for Small Businesses by enacting federal tax conformity so that Minnesota businesses can file taxes without delay and uncertainty in 2016.
It's wonderful to have young people job shadow me as they consider careers in public service.
BILLS
Recently I have had several of my bills heard in committee. The Education Innovation Policy Committee considered HF 3332, which establishes a pilot project to help struggling students in grades 3 to 5 read at grade level. This project uses a methodology involving singing, and is promising because it has been shown to dramatically increased struggling students' reading levels. A longitudinal study has documented these reading gains are sustained over time. If pursued, this method could prove to be another powerful tool in our quest to eliminate the achievement gap.
Working with great women leaders to expand access to culturally competent mental health professionals for all students.
The Tax Committee recently heard HF 3163, which increases the Working Family Tax Credit. Low income families are particularly feeling the pinch of rising costs, and this increase would assist these families as they struggle to stay in their homes, put food on the table, and plan for the future.
I am hopeful that the Tax Committee will also hear my bill, HF 3331, which will ensure that the Angel Investment Credit, which has greatly benefited start-up and small businesses in MN, will only be accessed to benefit businesses in Minnesota that employ Minnesota citizens. A loophole in the law has allowed some businesses that are not primarily based in Minnesota to benefit from this credit, and that loophole needs to be closed.
HF 2748, my bill to allow a liquor license for Indiafest, was heard by the Commerce Committee this past week. Each August, the State Capitol grounds hosts this wonderful event to celebrate the rich culture and heritage of India and Indian Americans. Since moving here five years ago, attendance has grown from 2,000 to nearly 20,000 last year. In keeping with other popular summer festivals like the Irish Festival, organizers have identified liquor sales as a way to generate revenue to ensure financial stability as the event continues to grow. The bill was held over for possible inclusion in this year’s Omnibus Liquor Bill.
On another note, I was honored to receive a plaque commemorating my membership in our Minnesota Civil Air Patrol. To find out more about the great work our Civil Air Patrol does in Minnesota:https://www.mncap.org/
As always, I hope you will feel free to reach out with any comments, questions, or if I can ever be of assistance to you. It’s an honor to be a voice for you in St. Paul.
Sincerely,
Yvonne Selcer
State Representative