Dear neighbor,
I want to provide an update on some of the legislation that passed off the House floor this week. I want to thank those of you who have contacted me with your views on particular issues this session and encourage you to keep in touch. I appreciate your input.
The House passed the bipartisan Jobs and Economic Development bill Monday, which makes strategic investments to create jobs and strengthen Minnesota’s economy. A major piece of the bill expands the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF). MIF is an established program that provides incentives to out-of-state businesses for expanding or moving to Minnesota. The program provides $33 for every $1 loaned out and has already brought jobs to several communities around the state.
Another great program included in the jobs package is the job-based education and apprenticeship program (JEAP). JEAP brings together academic instruction and job-site training for manufacturing industries at the college level. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system (MnSCU), Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, and Century College all testified in favor of this program this year.
JEAP is a great way to update our approach to career training and higher education. The manufacturing industry is a big part of our state economy, employing 13% of our workforce and making up 15% of GDP. In addition, growth in this industry is outpacing other fields. The JEAP program comes on the heels of a study done by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) which showed an ongoing difficulty among manufacturing employers to fill job openings due to a lack of skilled workers.
The investments included in the jobs and economic development package vary in approach, but the overall goal is to attract more private business to Minnesota and move our economy forward. Creating jobs is a top priority and I am encouraged by the bipartisan work that has been done to put together the jobs package.
Today, the House is debating the State Government and Veteran’s Affairs Finance bill, which increases funding for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs programs and services by 18 percent. Veterans are an important part of our country and our St. Cloud community, and it is our duty to make sure that we do not forget about them when they return home.
The veteran’s bill expands GI bill education eligibility to all veterans and also provides the educational benefit to the spouse or child of soldiers killed in the line of duty. The bill also creates a grant program to provide assistance to Minnesota veterans who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless, including help with utilities, employment, and legal issues. Additional initiatives to help veterans include authorizing towns and cities to give contract preferences to veteran-owned small businesses and providing funding for a permanent honor guard for veterans funerals.
We will be debating more budget bills on the House floor in the coming days and weeks. I expect to debate the Higher Education Finance bill soon, which will be vitally important to St. Cloud and the MnSCU schools. I will keep you updated as this issue moves forward.
Please continue to contact me with your questions, concerns and comments. Your input will help me to better represent St. Cloud. I can be reached by phone at (651) 296-6612 or by email at rep.zachary.dorholt@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Zach Dorholt
State Representative