Legislative Update - Supporting Workers, Small Businesses, and Communities

Dear neighbors,

It’s hard to believe we’re more than halfway through August! I’m continuing a series of updates on the new state budget this week, with a focus on the Tax bill. If you’d like to read the previous installments, please visit my legislative webpage.  

Supporting Workers, Small Businesses, and Communities 

As our economy starts to turn the corner, we need to make sure people, businesses, and communities can recover from the challenges we’ve experienced over the past year and a half. Our Tax bill will help Minnesotans who were harmed by the pandemic rebuild and thrive in the future. In it, we secured tax cuts for impacted workers and small businesses, including approximately 560,000 Minnesotans who received Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits or federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.  

Thanks to the hard work of House DFLers, the Tax bill also supports individuals and families who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. It provides $20 million per year for Minnesota counties to invest in programs and services that prevent homelessness. Other notable provisions expand the Working Family Credit, which benefits workers and families with incomes below a certain level; extend the Angel Investor Tax Credit for those who invest in small businesses; and address the marriage penalty for individuals with student loans who file joint returns.   

While there’s more work to be done – like closing loopholes for large corporations and making our tax code more equitable – I'm proud of what we accomplished this year. Our bipartisan Tax bill will help people and businesses succeed while preserving critical funding for the things Minnesotans care about. You can read more about it here.  

Community Spotlight

Rotary Club of White Bear Lake 

The Rotary Club of White Bear Lake – a local branch of Rotary International – brings business leaders and workers together to strengthen and serve our community. In addition to holding weekly meetings, the club hosts a variety of events for members and people from the broader community. In the next month, for instance, they’re holding a blood drive, the annual Taste of White Bear Lake, and more. If you’d like to learn more about the Rotary Club of White Bear Lake or their upcoming events, please visit whitebearrotary.org.  

Make Your Voice Heard 

Apply for State Boards, Councils, and Commissions 

Serving on a state board, council, or commission is a great way to help strengthen our state. There are hundreds of positions available, and a variety of groups are accepting applications. You can view a list of current vacancies on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website. If you find an opening that matches your interests or expertise, I encourage you to apply.  

Join a Community Conversation

Many Faces of the White Bear Lake Area is hosting a series of conversations for people who want to learn how racism impacts our community and help make it more welcoming and inclusive. The next one is tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Vadnais Heights Commons (655 East County Rd. F, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127). If you’re interested in listening to and learning from your neighbors’ stories, I recommend going to tonight’s event and the fourth and final conversation in September. You can find more information and register here.  

Please continue to reach out if you have any questions or input. You can contact me by email at rep.ami.wazlawik@house.mn or by phone at (651) 296-3018. Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community!  

Sincerely,  

Ami Wazlawik  
State Representative