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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Duane Sauke (DFL)

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Legislative Update - March 1, 2017

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Neighbors and Friends,

We are nine weeks into the legislative session and between floor sessions and committees, we’re able to meet with constituents and those advocating for issues or groups. I hope you can make your way to the Capitol this session and sit in on a committee hearing or tour the beautifully restored Capitol building.

Here is an update from St. Paul:

Budget Forecast

Today, Minnesota Management and Budget announced a forecasted budget surplus of $1.65 billion. The February Economic Forecast revealed that Minnesota continues to have low unemployment and a stable budget.

While Minnesota's economy is performing well, we should always be looking for ways to improve. This surplus is an opportunity to reinvest in every Minnesotan in all corners of the state - through strong public schools, affordable college and job training, and access to good jobs and good benefits like paid leave and earned sick time.

For too long we have neglected our roads, bridges, and transit system. It has been three years since the legislature passed a robust bonding bill to invest in our infrastructure. It is time to push politics aside and put the needs of Minnesotans first.

To stay competitive, it's vital we reinvest in our priorities. I'm ready to continue working with Governor Dayton and my legislative colleagues, Republican and Democrat, to build a shared vision of economic prosperity for all Minnesotans. 

Preemption in Committee

The Republican “preemption” bill has passed its final committee and will be debated by the full House this week.  This bill stops local communities from setting pro-worker policies such as sick leave, family leave, or a higher minimum wage. The measure also rolls back sick time for hundreds of thousands Twin Cities working people. This divisive, anti-worker legislation has popped up in legislatures all over the United States. Minnesotans have a strong work ethic and an even stronger sense of what is right and wrong.  It’s not difficult to understand that rolling back benefits and stopping workers from getting ahead is not good for the economy and I will strongly oppose this bill.

Missing Money?

That headline may have caught your attention! The State of Minnesota may have some property that belongs to you or a loved one and the State wants to give it back to you. Every day, Minnesotans lose some form of financial property because of a change of address, death, or simply forgetting about an account.

Holders of unclaimed property, usually banks, insurance companies, corporations, etc. are required by law to attempt to contact the owner of the property when it appears that the owner has abandoned the item. This prevents companies from profiting from accounts that remain unclaimed. If the owner fails to respond, Minnesota keeps it safe for them until the rightful owner is found.

Minnesota currently holds millions in unclaimed property.  To check if your’re on the list, click the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s missing money page.

Let me know what you think!

Please feel free to weigh in on by answering my 2017 Legislative Survey.

Don’t hesitate to contact me with any concerns or questions.

 

Sincerely,

Duane

 

P.S.: Please don’t hesitate to forward this email to your friends and neighbors so they can sign up for my e-updates.