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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Marion Rarick (R)

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Legislative Update from Rep. Marion O'Neill

Monday, February 16, 2015

Dear Neighbor,

Here is an update from the Capitol.

Sexual Assault Bill Introduced

On Thursday, February 12th, I introduced House File 742, a bipartisan bill that will address the serious and devastating issue of sexual assault on college campuses. The safety of college students is incredibly important to me. My bill modernizes our sexual assault laws, protecting, educating and empowering survivors of sexual assault while also working to prevent this serious crime from ever taking place.

I have worked with stakeholders interested in ending sexual assault on college campuses and if signed into law, this legislation will provide post-secondary institutions with the tools they need to address this serious problem, offering accountability for student safety in a victim-centered approach.

Through implementing this policy for Minnesota’s colleges, victims are afforded protection throughout the process from reporting to disciplinary hearings and beyond. Furthermore, it updates the way victims can inform authorities of a crime, allowing online reporting for students.

Our higher education institutions are tasked with educating students and preparing them for new, exciting careers. It’s unfortunate that sexual assault is part of the college experience for too many students, and HF 742 will ensure a standardized process from start to finish, protecting and empowering sexual assault victims on campuses across Minnesota.

Higher Education Committee

Last Wednesday, February 11th, I chaired the House Higher Education Committee. As student tuition continues to cost families and students more, I am glad I am able to serve on this committee, working to keep higher learning institutions transparent and holding them accountable to students and taxpayers.

Small Business Caucus

Earlier today, the 35 member, bipartisan Small Business Caucus, which I co-chair, held their first meeting of the session where we heard from the Minnesota Department of Revenue and Beth Kadoun from the Minnesota Chamber.

During the meeting, Revenue updated representatives on their recent initiatives to reign in costly sales tax audits on small businesses. While not yet fully implemented, these changes to their procedures will decrease the number of audits and ensure that the target of these investigations are small businesses that are out of compliance with the law.

Having heard from small businesses in my district and across Minnesota, I know the significant financial burden these audits can be, not to mention the time it takes to go through the process. I’m pleased Revenue is making these changes and hope to have these commonsense reforms fully implemented soon within their agency.

If you own a small business and have a story to share about a burdensome regulation or problem you’re running into with state government, I welcome you to contact me. Your input is valuable and can help meaningfully reform our government, helping more small businesses to thrive in Minnesota.

***

As always, please feel free to contact me about any state legislative issue.  You can e-mail at Rep.Marion.ONeill@House.MN or call my office at 651-296-5063. You can also write a letter to me. My office address at the Capitol is 549 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155.

Sincerely,

Marion

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