THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING MONDAY’S TOWN HALL MEETING
Thank you to everyone that joined Senator Bobby Joe Champion, Representative Raymond Dehn, and me for our Town Hall meeting on Monday, February 19 to discuss issues facing the 2018 legislative session.
You can view North News’ video coverage of the town hall here.
START OF 2018 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The Legislative Session started this Tuesday and below are some highlights of the week:
State Employee Contracts
Yesterday, Republicans surprisingly voted with DFLers to suspend the rules and take up state employee contracts that have been delayed since last October, which include modest raises and pension security.
Republicans then quickly moved to make it harder to approve contracts when the Legislature isn’t in session–a measure that would make it harder for workers to get their negotiated raises and benefits in the future. After much debate, the state employee contracts motion was tabled.
Legislative Funding
Yesterday, the House approved HF399, aconference committee report that met late Wednesday night without much public input, to provide funding to the legislative branch on a 77-50 vote. I voted no because this report pays for members own salaries before the ratification of the state employee contracts.
The report allocates $64.4 million to the Senate, $64.76 million to the House, and requires both chambers to return the borrowed LCC funding by June 30, 2018.
You can read the House Public Information Office coverage here.
RESOURCE REACHING COMMUNITY EVENT
Please join organizations from around the Twin Cities next Wednesday, February 28 at the Resource Reaching Community event. There will be resources around employment, education, housing, health, community services, and free lead poison screening at River of Life Church.
When: February 28, 2018; 6:00–8:00 PM
Where: River of Life Lutheran Church
2200 Fremont Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55411
*Free groceries for the first 25 families
*Gift cards for first 50 families to have lead tested for children 0-6
Organizations attending:
H&R Block, Twin Cities Rise, MICAH, Child and Teen Checkup, North Point, Start Anew, Missions to Streets, The Neighborhood HUB, Sustainable Resource Center, and MNIC MN Internship Center High School
I encourage you to contact me with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Also, I am available during select hours on Monday and Friday mornings most weeks for in-district meetings, if Northside residents aren’t able to make it to the Capitol. If you would like to send me a message or set up an in-district meeting, you can reach me by phone at 651-296-4262 or by email at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you!
