Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Congratulations to the Maple Grove Crimson Robotics team for earning the coveted Chairman’s Award at the Lake Superior Regional competition! This is the highest honor achievable in FIRST Robotics and advances the team to the World Championship! Way to go, Crimson Robotics!
Here are some of the bills I’m working on this session:
- Unemployment Tax Cut Bill Passes the House
- Road to Real ID Compliance (HF1732)
- ADA Assistance Bill Passes Committee (HF2955)
- Improved Healthcare Reform (SF1523)
- Tax Debt Settlement Bill Moving Forward (HF2641)
Unemployment Tax Cut Bill Passed the House
The much-needed reform to the unemployment insurance trust fund and $258 million tax insurance premium reduction bill that I chief authored was on the House floor Thursday and passed. It provides overdue adjustments and insurance relief for our Minnesota small businesses. I was happy to see how this bill received broad bipartisan support with a vote of 104-25.
Road to Real ID Compliance (HF1732)
The Real ID bill repeals the session law of 2009 that starts the process for our driver’s licenses to be compliant with the federal Real ID. I am proud to chief author this bill and look forward to continuing the work so we can continue to fly on commercial airplanes without worry, all while ensuring your personal information remains private.
ADA Bill Passes Committee (HF2955)
I am carrying this bill that will increase access to our businesses for the disabled while decreasing the unnecessary lawsuits that have been plaguing our local businesses. I’ve been working with the Minnesota Council On Disabilities, the Minnesota Human Rights Department, and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to gather information and input from all interested parties. This bill has been sent to the House floor and I look forward to its passage soon.
Improved Healthcare Reform (SF1523)
This bill provides improvements to our healthcare system in Minnesota. It helps residents struggling with cancer receive more cost-effective prescriptions. We all probably know someone who’s fought this disease and understand how costly it can be. My bill was in the Commerce and Regularity Reform Committee and laid over.
Tax Debt Settlement Bill Moving Forward (HF2641)
My tax-related bill, HF2641, passed out of the Commerce Committee this week. It’s a consumer-friendly piece of legislation that allows federal and state tax debt to be included in tax settlements. I look forward to working on this bill as it makes its way through the legislative process.
Please Visit My Office
It’s always great getting to visit with constituents!
Let me know if you are able to stop by the Capitol during session – I would enjoy seeing you. Thank you for your support; it is my honor to represent our community in St. Paul. Please continue to share your thoughts with me about our state government; bill ideas and concerns are welcomed! My email address is Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, phone number 651-296-5502, and US mail address: 13570 Grove Drive, #370, Maple Grove, MN, 55311.
Have a great weekend!
Dennis