Dear neighbors,
There’s been a lot of exciting developments at the Legislature over the past few weeks. Finance committees are unveiling budgets for funding priorities like our children’s education, property tax relief, job creation and more.
It’s humbling to see all of the hard work that goes into the legislative process. But most importantly, it’s a true honor to serve as your voice at our state capitol and stand up for our common values and beliefs.
DFLers in the House of Representatives are on track to pass a fair, honest budget that will make our communities stronger and improve the lives of middle class, working class, and low-income Minnesotans.
EDUCATION:
The recently released House DFL K-12 education budget makes historic investments in Minnesota’s most precious resource: our children.
It sets ambitious goals of fully closing our achievement gap, reaching a 100 percent high school graduation rate, 100 percent literacy rate by third grade, and 100 percent career and college readiness by graduation—all by 2027. This plan truly means brighter futures for all children in Minnesota.
The education package fully funds all-day, every day kindergarten and invests $50 million in early learning childhood scholarships, both of which are proven tools for improving test scores, closing achievement gaps, and preparing students for future academic success.
Our plan also increases the basic funding formula for K-12 schools by over $315 million, or $209 per pupil. In addition, we intend to fully pay back the remaining school shift balance of over $800 million.
JOBS:
The House DFL’s jobs and economic development package, released this past week, puts Minnesotans back to work and grows our economy over the long run.
The plan increases funding by $46 million over the previous biennium, which will go towards programs like the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) and the job creation fund administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). It also includes a substantial tax cut for employers by reducing the rate they pay on unemployment insurance taxes, saving the average employer about $150 per employee.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS:
Last week, the House DFL released details on a $250 million property tax relief package that provides direct tax relief for homeowners and renters. Up to 1 million Minnesotans will see direct, targeted property tax relief through the proposal.
Property taxes have risen 86 percent in the last decade. Last year, the Republican-controlled Legislature eliminated the Homestead Credit, causing property taxes to increase $370 million statewide. The House DFL plan offers direct property tax relief to middle class Minnesotans by providing $157 million for the Homestead Credit Refund.
Our proposal also includes $15.5 million for the Renter’s Credit, which is a refund that provides direct property tax relief to low- and middle-income renters. 66,000 filers will see a bigger refund and a total of 340,000 renters will see property tax relief through the Renters’ Credit.
This plan puts more money in Minnesotans’ pockets so they can afford their basic needs like groceries, gas, and other necessities.
LEGISLATION:
A number of bills I authored made it into several omnibus budgets.
HF 107 reinstates the amount of absent days for a child receiving child care assistance for which a child care provider may be reimbursed. The current cap is set at 10 days in a fiscal year, but my bill would increase that amount back to 25 days. This legislation is part of the Health and Human Services omnibus bill.
HF 538 appropriates $500,000 in funding for the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) program, which provides matching savings to help low-wage earners purchase homes, pursue high education, or launch a small business. This legislation is also part the Health and Human Services omnibus bill.
HF 818 appropriates more than $400,000 over the next biennium for the Minnesota Principals’ Academy, which is operated by the University of Minnesota. The academy provides leadership development and other training to groups of Minnesota’s school principals. This legislation is part of the Education omnibus bill.
If you support any of the bills above, please call or email the committee members and ask them to support the bill in conference.
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Every Monday and Friday, I host “community chats” from 8:00-9:00am at Golden Thyme Cafe, located at 921 Selby Avenue in St. Paul. It’s a great opportunity to connect about what’s going on at the capitol, share your ideas and concerns, and have face-to-face conversations about the issues that impact our communities.
WANTING TO HEAR FROM YOU:
As always, please send me your comments and feedback about our work at the state capitol. You can reach me by phone at (651) 296-5158, by email rep.rena.moran@house.mn, by postal mail at 413 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 and of course in person at Golden Thyme.
Together we are stronger!
Sincerely,
Rena Moran
State Representative, District 65A