Legislative Update - April 4, 2014

Last night we passed a supplemental budget that makes critical investments in seniors and their caregivers, education, and transportation. Minnesota’s growing economy and strong budget passed in 2013 created a $1.2 billion budget surplus. The legislature has moved quickly to utilize about half of that surplus already, approving $443 million in tax cuts and directing $150 million to bolster the state’s budget reserve.

We’re aiming to build on that progress with our supplemental budget, which adds targeted funding to key priority areas, especially for our schools. The budget funds school lunches so no child goes without a healthy lunch, includes more funding for early childhood education, and adds more than $2.7 million to base funding for Eagan Area Schools.

Homeless Youth Act

The budget contained important legislation I authored to provide additional funding the Homeless Youth Act. The goal of the Homeless Youth Act is to give today’s homeless young person the opportunity to become a successful adult and this funding is going to grants to organizations running proven programs from emergency shelters to transitional housing. The bill adds $1 million to the base and brings the total Homeless Youth Act funding to $5.2 of the $8 million requested.

These kids aren’t runaways or “homeless by choice.” They are young people at risk. Every night on the street puts them at increased risk of physical and sexual abuse, poor health and suicide. The funding invests in programs proven to put these kids on the path from risk to prosperity.

The return on Minnesota’s investment is huge.

· Youth experience an $11,543 increase in annual wages in their first year after leaving homelessness.

· A high school graduate’s lifetime earnings are $476,000 higher than a dropout’s.

·Youth who fail to graduate from high school will cost the community $750,000 over a lifetime in lost tax revenues, health care costs, incarceration and social services.

ISD 196 Transportation Hub Bill

The budget also included legislation I authored that would give ISD 196 an exemption to use their lease-levy authority for a transportation hub. Doing this will save local taxpayers $500,000 a year, uses our money wisely, and leaves local decisions in the hands of our local schools. My bill was recently heard in the Education Finance Committee and is being laid over for inclusion in a larger omnibus bill.

5% Campaign

In addition to these provisions, the budget increases funding for home and community-based long-term care providers by 5 percent. Long-term care workers do an incredible job to care for our loved ones and have more than earned this increase. Their work actually saves our state money and with the long hours and difficult work, they shouldn’t also have to work a second job or leave the field because they can’t make ends meet.

This increase is long overdue with strong bipartisan support and I’m glad we were able to include it in our budget.

Star Tribune Editorial on E-Cigarettes

The Star Tribune recently printed an editorial supporting legislation moving through the legislation to regulate e-cigarettes. My bill would prohibit e-cigarettes in public schools, give municipalities more control in how they choose to regulate e-cigarettes, and would provide for harsher punishments for electronic cigarette retailers who sell the products to minors, among other provisions. Like regular tobacco products, we need to make sure e-cigarettes are not getting into the hands of minors.

While e-cigarettes may not have the dangerous smoke that regular cigarettes have, the vapor does contain formaldehyde and other dangerous chemicals. Legislation in both the House and Senate is moving to the floor and I’m hopeful we’ll have a bill for Governor Dayton to sign this session.

You can read the Star Tribune’s editorial here.

Letter to the Editor from Business Leaders in Sun Thisweek on Warehouse Tax

It was nice to see this feedback from local business leaders in the Sun Thisweek. I’m proud to serve our community and I appreciate them taking the time to write in. You can read their letter here.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for the honor of representing you in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Laurie Halverson

State Representative

District 51B