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Friends and Neighbors,
The 2024 Legislative Session has commenced this week with the aim of providing solutions for Minnesotans. This session needs to address several fixes to rectify the errors from last year's single-party control. These fixes include restoring School Resource Officers in districts across the state that have removed them due to changes in statute, correcting errors in the tax omnibus bill, and planning for the budget deficit that is likely on the horizon in 2025.
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We hit the ground running on Monday with an urgency declared on the School Resource Officer fix in an attempt to bring it before the floor. This procedural motion would have allowed the House to take up this important legislation and accompanying amendment to get SROs back in schools across the state.
We heard from Representative Jeff Witte, a former resource officer, on the important role these men and women play in the development of young students and the safety of the learning environment. He shared how students looked to him to keep school safe and how those relationships helped to put some students on a better path to happy successful lives rather than repeating behaviors that would have been damaging to their futures. He is a great example of the important work these officers do every day and why we must get them back in schools as soon as possible.
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 Spent Valentine?s Day on the House floor, but at least I got to dress for the occasion.
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Another issue that is crucial for the legislature to address early in the session is a correction to last year?s tax bill. An error in the way the standard deduction is calculated could cost Minnesotans over 350 million dollars if it is not corrected. Minnesotans are already over-taxed and this error could mean families that are struggling with the increased costs of everyday necessities could owe hundreds more to the state. We need to be focused on providing relief for Minnesotans as they face record inflation and cost increases. This correction should be just the first step towards that goal.
Homeschool Day
Thursday was Homeschool Day at the Capitol. I got to hear from parents who are rightfully taking their children's education into their own hands and the benefits that choice has had for their students. It?s truly amazing the ingenuity and collaboration these parents have worked on to provide a top-notch education alternative.
Get Involved
The most important solution for the future of Minnesota is for everyone to get involved and make their voice heard. As we saw last year, when Minnesotans show up and make their voice heard we can force some decisions on the single-party controlled legislature and governor. Some upcoming ways you can get involved are precinct caucuses on February 27th and the presidential primary on March 5th. You can find your caucus location here and your presidential primary location here.
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You can reach my office at [email protected] or by phone at 651-296-4228 for any legislative concerns. Follow me on Facebook for more frequent updates.
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/RepDawnGillman
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213 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
651.296.6746 |
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