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1039 WORDS | 8.0 MINUTE READ
Hi John,
This week’s update begins with profound grief. Like all of you, I’m devastated by the shooting that took place at Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. More lives shattered, and more shame on a nation that can send its citizens to the moon and back, spends almost $1 trillion per year on national “defense,” but can’t defend its own children from gunmen in schools. May all of their memories be for a blessing, and may we finally choose to stop this madness.
I will not accept the notion that unconstrained access to weapons of war is more valuable than a child’s life. That’s why, like the majority of Americans, I support - and have voted for - commonsense legislation to address our nation’s gun violence epidemic. Many of you have called for action as well, and I want your ideas:
It’s time to stop the political bickering and take meaningful action. In the meantime, I’m holding families, teachers, and all those who lost loved ones close to my heart. It’s been a busy few weeks spent in Washington and Minnesota, read on to learn more about everything we’re accomplishing together - and even though I know it can be difficult in light of recent events, please keep the faith.
Learning from Mistakes, Honoring Commitments
Committee work is underway in the 118th Congress, and it was good to be back in the House Foreign Affairs Committee Room with my colleagues and U.S. Secretary of State Blinken last week. No matter your foreign policy perspectives, I think we can all agree that America must be a nation that learns from our mistakes and invests wisely in our future. As we in Congress fulfill our constitutionally-mandated oversight of the Executive Branch, I’m focused on honoring our commitments to partners abroad and making fiscally responsible decisions that advance our priorities without overextending our capacity to support Americans at home.
Supporting Employee-Owned Businesses
I believe expanding opportunities for small businesses to become employee owned will help create more good-paying jobs and keep the American Dream alive for millions of workers. That's why I invited Small Business Administrator Isabella Guzman to Minnesota to learn about my efforts to support small businesses seeking to share success through employee ownership. We started our day by working a shift together at Tierra Encantada, a Spanish-immersion early learning center, as part of my On the Job with Dean initiative. In between circle time and crafts, we talked with the Tierra Encantada team about the challenges they faced and how they utilized SBA loans to keep their business running during the pandemic.
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| Tierra Encantada is one of less than 10% of childcare centers that provides staff with a career that includes a comprehensive benefits package for its 175 employees - I hope more follow in their footsteps. |
After our shift, we convened leaders from employee-owned businesses for a roundtable conversation about the barriers small business owners face as they transition to employee-owned status. Conversations like these provide me with the stories and information I need to better serve the businesses who support our community – especially those who wish to do good in addition to doing well. After these conversations, Administrator Guzman and I returned to Washington and reiterated our commitment to increasing incentives and removing hurdles that make it difficult for small business owners to choose employee ownership.
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| Cooperatives and employee-owned businesses are a part of Minnesota’s legacy, and meeting with them helps me better advocate on their behalf in Washington. |
Advocating for Ranked Choice Voting
Our democracy is at a crossroads. Amid historic division and partisan rancor, we must take action to improve our electoral system from the ground up. That's why I joined Representative Mary Peltola (AK), Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, and other state legislators to advocate for Ranked Choice Voting in Minnesota.
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| Whatever your perspective on RCV, I hope we can agree that the right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy and should be protected. |
Evidence suggests that by rewarding candidates who appeal to a broad swath of voters, RCV can discourage extreme partisanship, incentivize problem solving, and ensure that election winners better reflect the views of most voters. It's time we employ a voting system that helps our government run more effectively and returns power to people, where it rightfully belongs. Learn more about ranked choice voting here.
Connecting with Seniors
I had the honor of speaking to a wonderfully engaged group of residents at Friendship Village Senior Community in Bloomington. During our town hall conversation, I gave an overview of my work in Congress and answered questions on everything from term limits to student loan debt to immigration - and more! I’m looking forward to having more discussions like this one across our community, so let me know which senior living communities I should head to next.
Finding Common Ground
One of the most rewarding parts of my job has been participating in Common Ground Workshops throughout our community. Time and time again, I have witnessed people coming into those conversations with low expectations and little hope, only to leave feeling inspired and optimistic about our future. We may enter the room as strangers, but after two hours of listening and learning from each other, we are able to better appreciate our differences and understand that there is still more that unites us than divides us.
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| We can't legislate decency, but neighbors can come together and fix the most challenging problem our nation faces: our own divisions. |
The truth is, even in a country as divided as ours, working together is not only possible, it’s necessary! If you or someone you know is interested in joining one of our upcoming conversations please visit phillips.house.gov/CommonGround.
A Dose of Optimism
Back in Washington, I was thrilled to meet with students from Minnetonka's Vantage Program for a tour of the U.S. Capitol. They came with inquisitive minds and excellent questions, and they made me extremely proud to represent the most remarkable students in the nation. America is in good hands with our next generation, and I always look forward to seeing them on Capitol Hill.
Every American should have the opportunity to appreciate the artwork, architecture, and history of the U.S. Capitol Building. If you have plans to visit DC I'd love to see you there! Visit phillips.house.gov/visitDC for more information.
Keep the faith, and keep in touch,
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress
Bill of the Week
✔️ H.R. 5, Parents Bill of Rights Act
I believe that parents must play a role in their children’s education, but banning books and softening complicated history is antithetical to freedom and liberty. Let’s teach American youth how to think and allow them to decide what to think. That's why I voted no on H.R. 5, the so-called Parents Bill of Rights Act.
Resources For You
My team and I are here to serve every person and every corner of our community. I want to make sure you have the resources you need to succeed:
- Savings for homeowners: The Inflation Reduction Act created new federal tax credits for homeowners seeking to make energy efficient upgrades. Click here for a list green tax credits.
- Look before you book: Do you have international travel plans on the horizon? Make sure you are prepared before you book! Visit https://travel.state.gov/ to check your passport expiration date, apply for a passport, and much more.
- Tax Help is Here: Don't delay, the deadline to file is April 18th, 2023. If you have questions or need help with your taxes, email the IRS by calling 800-829-1040. You can also contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue by emailing [email protected] or calling (651) 556-3000.
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