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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jennifer Schultz (DFL)

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Legislative Update - February 17, 2017

Friday, February 17, 2017

Dear Neighbors,

Many constituents made the trek to the Capitol this week, and I’d like to thank them for visiting with me. I met with public school teachers, MPIRG students from UMD, and advocates with Protect Minnesota who left broken hearts to highlight tragedies caused by gun violence.

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I’d like to remind you about the Town Hall Listening Session tomorrowwith Rep. Olson, Sen. Simonson, Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans and me at the Duluth Children’s Museum. This will be a terrific opportunity for you to share your viewpoints on the issues before the Legislature and to ask questions. I’m particularly thrilled that Commissioner Frans will join us, as he has a wealth of knowledge about every area of the state budget. I hope you join us.

WHAT: SD7 Town Hall Listening Session

WHO: Rep. Jennifer Schultz, Rep. Liz Olson, Sen. Erik Simonson, MMB Commissioner Myron Frans

WHERE: Duluth Children’s Museum, 115 S 29th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55806

WHEN: Saturday, February 18th from 10:00 a.m – noon (one hour for public comment/testimony)

My Bills

In recent days I’ve had three of my bills considered by House Committees. The first, HF 246, was heard by the Government Operations and Elections Policy Committee last Tuesday. This bill, which I mentioned in my last update, takes the politics out of redistricting by giving redistricting authority to a nonpartisan commission. It was laid over for further consideration in a larger elections bill.

The second, HF 607, was heard in the Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance Committee last Wednesday. The bill (MN Affordable College for All Act) creates a grant program to pay for the cost of undergraduate tuition and fees at public colleges and universities in Minnesota that aren’t covered by Pell grants, state grants, or other scholarships. Students would be required to make satisfactory academic progress to receive these grants. Student debt burdens are crushing the ability of young people to be full participants in our economy, and it’s time for us to take bold actions addressing this.

Finally, HF 1167 was heard in in the Health and Human Services Reform Committee. This bill provides a $5,000 non-refundable tax credit for those who serve without compensation as medical preceptors. Preceptors are physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, or mental health professionals who supervise students in clinical practice without additional compensation. Clinical preceptors serve an important role preparing our future health care professionals, and we need to ensure that those who share their knowledge are fully supported in their role. This measure is important to the Minnesota Nurses Association, which held their Day on the Hill earlier this week.

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Please keep in touch with your comments, questions, and feedback. Your voice is important as we set public policy, and I value your input.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Schultz

State Representative