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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Raymond Dehn (DFL)

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2013 Legislative Session Wrap Up

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Dear neighbors,

We recently wrapped up our work at the State Capitol by passing a budget that delivers on key promises we made on the campaign trail in 2012, like eliminating our deficit without using gimmicks, paying back the school shift, and expanding economic prosperity for all Minnesotans.  

Our budget sets Minnesota up for a bright future by paying for investments in education, job creation, and property tax relief using a combination of targeted cuts, reforms, and by raising new revenue by making sure high income earners and corporations pay their fair share in taxes.

It’s a stark contrast from the ‘all-cuts’ approach used by lawmakers over the past decade, which resulted in skyrocketing property tax rates, painful tuition hikes, overcrowded classrooms, and unacceptable achievement and employment gaps.

Here’s a quick look at some of our budget’s major components, as well as other major pieces of legislation we passed that will make a positive difference in people’s lives in our District and throughout Minnesota.

EDUCATION:

When we arrived at the State Capitol in early January, DFL lawmakers set out to make 2013 the ‘Education Session.’ Our budget makes that goal a reality. It’s a comprehensive plan designed to close our achievement gap, build the world’s best workforce, and provide every child with the tools they need to reach their full potential.

We’re funding free all-day Kindergarten for every child, early learning scholarships to help over 8,000 low-income families send their kids to preschool, and $234 million in additional resources for the K-12 school funding formula (roughly $156 per pupil). We also followed through on our promise to fully pay back our schools by 2014 through an accelerated repayment plan.

These historic investments allow us to meet ambitious goals that include fully closing the achievement gap, reaching a 100 percent high school graduation rate, 100 percent literacy by third grade, and 100 percent career and college readiness by graduation.

These are ambitious goals, but they reflect our commitment to providing the resources needed today to make sure all learners can succeed and reach their full potential for years to come. It’s a long-term strategy that will grow the middle class and build a brighter economic future for Minnesota.

Our budget also takes serious steps to support Minnesotans currently enrolled in our public colleges and universities. For the first time in over a decade, students will not pay a penny over current tuition levels. In addition, we significantly expanded the state grant program to bring relief to students and their parents who are taking on record debt. After years of cuts to higher education, freezing tuition for University of Minnesota and MnSCU students over the next two years is set to make a big difference in countless lives.

JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

Minnesota’s economy is recovering faster than many other states, but we can do even better. That’s why our budget invests in proven strategies to stimulate economic development and put Minnesotans back to work, including:

  • $346 million in tax cuts for businesses, or $150 per employee for the average business.
     
  • $30 million for the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) to provide financial incentives such as low-interest loans to out-of-state businesses thinking of setting up shop in Minnesota as well as in-state businesses thinking of expanding.
     
  • $24 million for the Job Creation Fund (JCF) to awards grants to businesses that make a commitment to hire additional employees or make large capital investments.
     
  • $4.6 million for the Minnesota Trade Office to help businesses build relationships overseas and sell goods in foreign markets.

Our plan also makes significant investments in job training programs to help Minnesotans obtain the skills needed to secure the kind of well-paying jobs with benefits that bring greater economic security, allow them to provide for their families, and help our communities grow and thrive.

TAXES:

Our budget follows through on our promise to raise new revenue in a way that is fair and progressive.

On the campaign trail last year, voters told us they wanted the wealthiest Minnesotans to pay their fair share to help pay for investments in our children’s education and programs that put people back to work. Our budget gets the job done by closing corporate loopholes and asking the wealthiest two percent of Minnesotans to pay an additional two percent in income taxes.

We also provide direct property tax relief to homeowners and renters. As we all know, middle class Minnesotans have been unfairly squeezed by skyrocketing property tax rates over the past decade. Providing relief means that people will have more money in their pockets to spend on necessities like groceries and gas.

BAN THE BOX:

Lawmakers passed a bill that keeps most employers from asking on job applications whether the individual has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime.

The bill, better known as ‘Ban the Box,’ passed with overwhelming support from both sides of the aisle. It’s going to make a positive difference in countless lives for people who have experienced ongoing difficulty in securing a job that allows them to provide for their families.

This issue comes down to making sure businesses consider applicants based on their skills and qualifications, not simply on their past. I’m extremely pleased that we were able to pass this legislation and get it signed into law.

HOMEOWNERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS:

The foreclosure crisis is one of the main reasons our economy went into a tailspin back in 2008. It crushed millions of families’ livelihoods throughout the country, tore neighborhoods apart, and put hard-working Americans out on the street.

In Minnesota, more than 150,000 homeowners have lost their homes to foreclosure since 2006.

Thankfully, we passed legislation known as the ‘Homeowners’ Bill of Rights’ to protect Minnesotans from unfair and unjust lending practices.

The Homeowners Bill of Rights prohibits mortgage companies from pursuing foreclosure while a homeowner is seeking a loan modification, a process known as “dual tracking,” that has resulted in many foreclosures for Minnesotans who were actively working to stay in their homes. It also requires lenders to give homeowners a single point of contact during the foreclosure process, requires mandatory mediation if requested by a borrower, and gives extra protections for our servicemembers.

This is an important step forward that will give greater economic security to families in our state and protect our economy from the disastrous consequences of predatory lending.

ALL MINNESOTANS CAN MARRY THE PERSON THEY LOVE:

Minnesota became the 12th state to extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples this year. I proudly voted in support of this historic bill.

The marriage equality bill includes the strongest religious freedom protections of any state that has legalized same-sex marriage. It allows civil marriages for all Minnesotans, like the kind you get at City Hall, and ensures no religious congregation or clergy would be compelled to perform a marriage ceremony that conflicted with their beliefs.

I’m glad Minnesota joined the growing number of states that are moving forward to make sure no one is prohibited from being with the person they love.

In case you missed it, you can click here to watch my speech before the House voted on this historic piece of legislation.

THANK YOU:

I want to thank each and every one of you who has been in touch with me this session. It is a privilege to represent our values and serve as your voice at our State Capitol. If you have any questions about our budget or any other issue, please contact me anytime.

You can reach me by phone at (651) 296-8659, by email at rep.raymond.dehn@house.mn, or by postal mail at 423 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.

I also encourage you to connect with me online by ‘liking’ my page on Facebook or by following me on Twitter at @RaymondDehn.

Sincerely,
 

Raymond Dehn
State Representative, District 59B