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Legislative News and Views - Rep. John Persell (DFL)

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: New Budget Invests in Northern Minnesota

Sunday, June 2, 2019

The following letter to the editor by Rep. John Persell was published Sunday, June 2, 2019 in the Bemidji Pioneer: 

The Legislature adjourned on May 25 after a productive session. We were able to work together and pass a budget that reflects the values we share as Minnesotans.

The budget makes honest investments in education, health care, and economic opportunities here in Northern Minnesota. I voted to increase funding for local schools and make public colleges and universities more affordable for students.

We passed bipartisan legislation that will ensure seniors receive proper care and respectful treatment in assisted living facilities, help people that have been impacted by the opioid epidemic, and lower the cost of prescription drugs. I fought to provide child welfare grants to Tribal and County governments.

Expanding reliable broadband service will create new jobs in Greater Minnesota. The budget also includes the strongest protections against wage theft in the United States.  

We cut taxes for 1.9 million Minnesotans and made the filing process simpler for everyone by raising the standard deduction. I supported reducing taxes on Social Security, tax credits for working families, and increasing local government aid to help cities and counties provide important services without increasing on property taxes to do so. 

I’m proud of these accomplishments, and I look forward to talking with you in the coming months about how we can keep Minnesota moving forward. It’s a great honor to represent the residents in our part of Northern Minnesota. 

Sincerely,

John Persell
State Representative, District 5A