Dear Neighbors,
Here is an update from the Capitol.
Survey
For those who haven't done so yet, my 2015 Legislative Survey is available to take online. Your input is valuable to me, and I'd like to hear from you about important issues being debated at the Capitol this session.
Click on this link to take my legislative survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Kiel2015
Your feedback is appreciated!
Teacher Licensure Legislation
This week in the Education Innovation Committee, they held a hearing on my bill HF 645 which, if signed into law, will help attract more quality teachers to our community. As many of you know, in Greater Minnesota some rural school districts struggle to hire qualified educators to teach in our classrooms and transferring a teaching license to Minnesota can be expensive, time consuming and confusing. This bill simplifies the process and makes it easier for great educators from North Dakota and other states to come here and teach.
To elaborate, the legislation allows teacher applicants holding valid out-of-state licenses to complete a three-year probationary period in a single district under the supervision of school officials. At the end of that time, if they are offered a continuing contract to teach, they can be granted a Minnesota teaching license.
HF 645 has strong bipartisan support and can help school districts fill crucial open teaching positions with qualified, quality educators. I am hopeful this bill will continue to advance this session.
Border City Development Zone Program and Jobs Training Bills
This week in the Job Growth and Energy Affordability committee, my bill HF 894 was heard. The Border City Development Zone Program bill has bipartisan support and would make the tax climate more favorable for border cities, allowing them to better compete with lower tax cities in neighboring states. The program would apply to Breckenridge, Dilworth, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, and Ortonville and provides a $1 million allocation for border city aid each year.
Additionally in the Jobs Committee, they heard my bills HF 750 and HF 751 which would help shrink the skills gap in Greater Minnesota. Through tax credits and grants, businesses will receive money to help train workers in technical and specialized areas to ensure more local businesses are able to hire the workers they need.
HF 894, HF 750 and HF 751 all benefit Northwest Minnesota, and I am pleased they are continuing to advance through the legislative process.
Alzheimer's Research Bill Update
On Wednesday in the Government Operations and Elections Committee, my Alzheimer's Research Bill received a hearing and was passed. House File 278 is a bipartisan bill that creates an Alzheimer’s research grant program and provides statewide dementia grants. This bill not only provides vital funding needed to research this devastating disease, but also connects caregivers of persons with dementia and Alzheimer’s to much-needed education and resources.
If I can ever assist you or your family on a matter of state government, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you!
Have a great weekend!
Deb
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