Neighbors and Friends,
We’re almost halfway through the legislative session. The February Budget Forecast is out and now the majorities in the House and Senate will start to release their budget details. Here are a few items you may find of interest:
Real ID Update
The House passed the Real ID bill, which would bring Minnesota into compliance with the federal Real ID requirements, allowing Minnesotans to board airplanes and enter federal and military facilities. Unfortunately, the bill that passed by the House contains a controversial and unnecessary provision that targets immigrants and increases costs to state and local governments.
On Monday, the Senate voted on the bill and they were unable to garner enough support to pass it with those anti-immigrant provisions. I’m hopeful Senate Republicans get their act together and compromise with Democrats so we can pass a clean bill that doesn’t attack immigrants living in our state.
February Forecast
Last week Minnesota Management and Budget announced a forecasted budget surplus of $1.65 billion. The February Economic Forecast revealed that Minnesota continues to have low unemployment and a stable budget.
While Minnesota's economy is performing well, we should always be looking for ways to improve. This surplus is an opportunity to reinvest in every Minnesotan in all corners of the state - through strong public schools, affordable college and job training, and access to good jobs and good benefits like paid leave and earned sick time.
For too long we have neglected our roads, bridges, and transit system. It has been three years since the legislature passed a robust bonding bill to invest in our infrastructure. It is time to push politics aside and put the needs of Minnesotans first.
To stay competitive, it's vital we reinvest in our priorities. I'm ready to continue working with Governor Dayton and my legislative colleagues, Republican and Democrat, to build a shared vision of economic prosperity for all Minnesotans.
‘My Refuge is Humanity’ Event
My Refuge is Humanity will be a music and poetry event celebrating immigrants and refugees in Minnesota. The event is scheduled for March 18th from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m... The event is scheduled to be held at the SPNN studio in Saint Paul (550 Vandalia Street, Suite 170).
I’ll share more information when it’s available.
Native American History
This past Saturday, I joined with community members as Native American historian Jim Rock gave us a guided tour of the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary. There is a rich Native American history at this site, and I am carrying a bill to fund an Interpretive Center, called the Wakan Tipi Center. Thanks for Jim and everyone who joined us for the Dakota Culture Waniyetu Walk.
Committee Deadlines
In the legislature we have a set of self-imposed deadlines for bills to make it through the committee process or they “die” for the year. The first deadline, for policy bills to be out of their policy committee, is this Friday at midnight. The next two Fridays bring the second and third deadlines. While a few committees aren’t subject to these deadlines, such as Taxes, we’re going to start to see many policy initiatives end for the year after Friday.
Let me know what you think!
Please feel free to weigh in on by answering my 2017 Legislative Survey.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Sheldon
P.S.: Please don’t hesitate to forward this email to your friends and neighbors so they can sign up for my e-updates.