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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL)

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Legislative Update - February 10th, 2017

Friday, February 10, 2017

Dear neighbors,

 

 

 

Here are a few notes from the Capitol.

 

 

Update: New Brighton Licensing Expansion

Mayor Johnson and Director of Finance, Brenda Davitt, joined Representative Bernardy and me for a review on the progress of our bill, HF 94, allowing the New Brighton City Hall to host a full service licensing center.  One consideration is how the implementation of Real ID will affect plans. Republicans have passed a bill in committee to bring the state into compliance with Real ID, a federal law last week. It included provisions that target and discriminate against undocumented immigrants trying to get drivers licenses; so it is a bill I cannot support.

 

State Budget

2017 is a state budget year and much of what I have been exposed to in my committees are reviews of budgets, spreadsheets, and future financial support requests. As one of 20 states that set our budget bi-annually, we Minnesota legislators have the job of proactively looking ahead to the needs of public services and project what the long-range needs will be. This could very well become more complicated as the message our state leaders are receiving from the federal government is to trim allowances and spending. Minnesota receives over $11.5 billion in federal funds to support education, health care, policing, and road construction. Slow down or eliminations of funds received from the federal government could have a very significant impact as we begin developing a new state budget at a time when the flow of money from Washington is in doubt.

 

Preemption in Committee

Late last week, the House Jobs Committee heard a Republican “preemption” bill that would stop local communities from setting their own policies for workers. This bill would prevent communities from implementing pro-worker policies such as sick leave, family leave, or a higher minimum wage. This legislation has the potential to roll back sick time for hundreds of thousands of people working in the Twin Cities. This is exactly the type of divisive, anti-worker legislation we’ve seen around the country. Minnesotans know they deserve a fair shake and this isn’t it. I came to the Capitol to help people get ahead, not to make it even harder for them to get by, and that’s why I oppose this bill.

 

Governor Dayton’s Cybersecurity

On an almost daily basis, we hear reports of security breaches into companies, governments, and into the lives of individuals, resulting in private information being revealed. Security experts have said state government is subjected to millions of cyberattacks every day in attempts to illegally access secure information. Governor Dayton recently unveiled his cyber security priorities by investing $125 million to reform and update our information technology infrastructure.

 

The governor’s proposal will build strong cybersecurity defenses by updating systems to safeguard Minnesotans’ private data. The proposal also makes investments required to convert or upgrade digital infrastructure to ensure state government operates efficiently and is up to speed with the needs of today and tomorrow.

 

I support Governor Dayton’s proposals to bring the State of Minnesota into the digital age. We should use all methods available to protect our citizens and institutions against illegal access by those who want to disrupt our state government. I am also thrilled to be appointed to the Select Committee on Technology and Responsive Government.

 

To read more about the governor’s proposal, go here.   

 

Fire Safety

Thursday, February 2nd, was Firefighters Day at the Capitol. A group of local firefighters stopped in to say “hello” and to share some of their experiences with me. I can’t thank our firefighters enough; our dedicated, hardworking, and brave men and women. We are so grateful to all of these crucial members of our community including many who volunteer their time and talents. I learned that New Brighton has a Home Safety program where homeowners can request a free fire safety inspection of their home. Not only will inspectors look for possible issues but can provide smoke and CO2 detectors, batteries, and other safety products.

 

In New Brighton, contact St. Paul Fire Safety Educator, Jeremy Berger, at 651.228.6203 or in New Brighton, Kip LaMotte, at 651.288.4121.

 

For information on fire safety in St. Anthony, Columbia Heights or Hilltop, contact your local fire department.

 

Our Capitol

One of the key elements of the newly renovated Capitol building is the public space dedicated to sharing Minnesota's diverse stories. There are currently several exhibits that add to the diversity of art on display in the Capitol. I encourage you to visit all of the exhibits. Why Treaties Matter, is an exhibit that explores relationships between Dakota and Ojibwe Indian Nations and the U.S. government in this place we now call Minnesota and the newest exhibit Seeds of Change: A Portrait of the Hmong American Farmers Association features photographs by Mike Hazard and brought to the Capitol in partnership with the Minnesota Museum of American Art and the Hmong American Farmers Association. Click here to plan your visit to the Capitol --- and please feel free to stop by my office!

 

 

As always, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Mary Kunesh-Podein

State Representative