March 29, 2023

Dear John:

When schools shifted to online learning during the pandemic, parents were able to see exactly what their children were being taught, and many were shocked to see things like Critical Race Theory and progressive gender ideology throughout coursework. In response, parents understandably wanted to regain oversight of their children's education, calling for schools to refocus curriculum to essential subjects without political ideology, but when they brought this up at their local school board meetings, they were met with hostility and were even labeled domestic terrorists.

Last week, the House voted on H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, to ensure key parental rights are protected, ensure our classrooms are places of learning and growth, and ensure families, educators, and administrators are all working together when it comes to the education of the next generation.

H.R. 5 is about making sure parents have a say in their child's education. Parents know what is best for their children. They should have an influence, they should have an understanding, and they should know what is going on in their child's school. As a parent and grandparent, I understand the importance of this issue. During the Rules Debate, I stood up for parents' rights, and I will continue to do so.

Tax Day

April 18 is right around the corner. Here are a few tips:

Create an IRS Online Account
Be aware of reporting changes for the gig economy and service industry - the IRS is requiring an income reporting threshold of $600
Find out if you qualify for the Free File program
If you are receiving a refund, you can check on its status using the IRS' "Where's My Refund" tool
If you need to file for an extension, that needs to be done by April 18
If you can't pay the full amount of taxes you owe, you can set up a payment plan
Know that the IRS provides short, informational videos on a variety of tax-related topics

If you have any questions or need assistance contacting the IRS, please do not hesitate to call my Willmar office at (320) 403-6100.

Disaster Loan Assistance Deadline

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding private nonprofit organizations (PNPs) in Minnesota that April 10 is the filing deadline for federal economic injury disaster loans for economic losses caused by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that occurred May 8-13, 2022.

Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

PNPs located in the Minnesota counties of Aitkin, Big Stone, Cass, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Douglas, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Morrison, Nobles, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine are eligible to apply.

The SBA offers federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help eligible non-critical PNP organizations meet their working capital needs such as ongoing operating expenses. Loan amounts can be up to $2 million with an interest rate of 1.875 percent and terms up to 30 years. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the organization suffered any physical property damage. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To be considered for this assistance, PNPs need to apply by the deadline. Applicants may apply online at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s under SBA declaration # 17521.

If you have questions, please call the FOCE Communications Department at (404) 331-0333.

Around the District

I recently spent time in Montevideo and had the chance to meet with many corners of the community.

I went to CCM Health, where I saw how the wellness center has been a valuable preventative health resources. The team there told me that, even though many rural care centers have had to stop many services due to the number of challenges they are facing from costs to staffing shortages, they have made the difficult and noble decision to continue to offer OBGYN services because they know it's important and it will help draw people to their city.

Prairie Five Meals is working to promote health and independent living for older adults in the community through their in-person meal delivery programs, an extremely valuable service in many of the smaller towns that do not have grocery stores or pharmacies.

I met the team at Friendship Homes and toured some of their building projects. They told me that some regulations by the Department of Energy make the production of their market-rate homes more costly and lengthy.

While touring Hawks Nest Early Childhood Center, I learned that some children have been on the waitlist for over three years due to the lack of childcare in the area.

I also spoke with the Chippewa County Sheriff's office where we talked about the lack of mental health services in the area and the impact it's having, as well as the efforts and difficulties recruiting and retaining officers.

Montevideo is an exceptionally resilient and strong community, but the issues it is facing are important and must be solved. I will be using all the valuable input I gained from my visit as I fight to lower costs, get rid of unnecessary regulations, and all the needs of Minnesota's rural communities in Washington.

Thank you for reading!

As always, my office is open and ready to serve constituents of Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District! Please do not hesitate to get in touch if there is anything I can do to help. Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Michelle Fischbach

Member of Congress

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fischbach.house.gov

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