Dear Neighbors,
The Minnesota Management and Budget Office released their updated February budget forecast for our state last week, projecting that we will have a positive budget balance of $1.6 billion for the upcoming biennium, these are positive news for the economic health of our state. The bulk of this funding comes from one time sources, which means it can't be used to fund ongoing activities, but it can be used to fund significant projects that require one time appropriation, like the reconstruction of the Twin Cities.
Working closely with the Minneapolis and St. Paul delegations to secure investments to help our local businesses and communities recover from the civil unrest continues to be my top priority. This week we held a press conference on the urgency to pass the PROMISE Act, S.F. 165, a bill that provides state assistance to individuals, nonprofits, and businesses to cover damages that are not otherwise covered by applicable insurance policies, and H.F. 728, a proposal that authorizes $300 million of redevelopment appropriation bonds to help rebuild Lake Street, West Broadway, and University Avenue.
I’m also excited about the opportunity to present my bill to prohibit dismissals of children from pre-k to 3rd grade before the Education committee next week. The bill instructs schools to end suspensions and expulsions of young students and to find more appropriate alternatives to disciplining young students.
I am grateful for your engagement and your support in these efforts. I appreciate reading all the constituent emails. Please keep letting us know where you stand on these critical issues!
We had many visits from constituents during the last two weeks and I truly appreciate the level of engagement and diversity of perspectives that you bring to us. I appreciate connecting with you virtually, reading your emails and responding to your calls. Please continue to contact us, and let us know where you stand on these critical issues.
Onward!
Patricia |