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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jeff Backer (R)

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Legislative Update (2-27-15)

Friday, February 27, 2015

Dear Neighbors,

The final week of February has officially come to a close. Thank you to those of you who took time out of your busy schedules to visit my office this past week. It is always great to meet with folks from back in our district.

Tomorrow’s Property Tax Listening Session

House Property Tax Committee Chair, Steve Drazkowski and I will be holding a property tax listening session in Morris on Saturday, February 28 at the West Central Research and Outreach Center, 46352 State Hwy. 329, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. I strongly encourage you to attend if you are concerned about rising property taxes.

Bill to Improve Child Protection Clears House

On Monday, House File 8, passed the House on a unanimous vote of 130-0. HF 8, authored by Rep. Ron Kresha, makes policy changes to Minnesota's child protection system. The changes in this bill are two of the recommendations that came out of the 26-member Governor's Task Force on Child Protection earlier this year. Rep. Kresha serves as the House Republican representative on the Governor's Task Force on Child Protection. The two provisions in the bill include:

 

  • Placing child health and safety as the paramount concern when making child protection decisions.
  • Reversing a law passed in 2013 that barred consideration of screened-out reports in investigating abuse reports

This bill is a first step toward fixing Minnesota's child protection system and making sure no child slips through the cracks. I am pleased that my colleagues and I have worked in a bipartisan fashion to help protect Minnesota children and make sure every child is kept safe and has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.

Staying Connected

Thank you to those of you who made it out to Sen. Westrom’s and I’s town hall meetings that took place last Friday. It was great to meet with and speak with many of you.

If you are planning on being in St. Paul this session, please feel free to contact my office by phone at 651-296-4929 or via email at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn to set up an appointment. I would love to meet with you and talk about ways we can make Minnesota better. Again, it is an honor and privilege to represent you and your family for the next two years. I am here to be YOUR voice in St. Paul and it is a responsibility that I take very seriously.

Thanks and talk to you soon,

Jeff