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Friends and Neighbors,
Thursday?s floor session concluded with another attempt to bring a repeal of the state income tax on social security to the floor. Our seniors and those on a fixed income are struggling. With limited income, they are forced to make tough decisions about how to prioritize those dollars and which of their needs has to wait. This is not a sustainable way to live and we have a solution with the funds to make it a reality. Ending the tax on social security will put more dollars in the hands of our seniors so that they can maintain their quality of life as 8% inflation continues to reduce the buying power of their dollars. Unfortunately, House Democrats continue to stand in the way, even after many of them campaigned on the issue.
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Our Republican women took an amazing lead with Representative Robbins leading the charge on this motion. Wednesday was International Women?s Day which is a great reminder of all that the women across Minnesota do to keep our state running smoothly. Our caucus has some amazing women whom I am honored to get to work alongside to defend the value that women provide.
This Friday I am down in St. Paul still as our Education committee continues to meet to try to get all of the bills heard before this evening's first deadline. It can be grueling sitting through these hearings as the House Democrats rush their bills through the process without any proper scrutiny or amendments to improve the language. Republicans have solutions, solutions that can actually improve our children's education with expanded access to post-secondary education options and education savings accounts so that students can bring their education dollars to the institution that best meets their needs.
Our plan to address education was unveiled last week called Reading Reset. This legislation is a structure to provide an improved curriculum, teacher training, and access to tutors to get students back on track. With half of Minnesota students reading below grade level we need a major change to address this learning loss. I will continue to fight for our children in everything we do at the state capitol.
I have had some great constituent visits this week including with a number of superintendents from across District 5A. We had a wonderful conversation about the issues our students are facing and how the legislature can pass bills that will support their learning. As well this week I had visitors from Hubbard, Cass, and Wadena County Soil and Water Conservation. They shared stories of how they are working to keep our beautiful natural resources well taken care of and available for the next generations of Minnesotans.
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Another critical issue for Republicans to lead on is Public Safety. On Thursday House and Senate Republicans unveiled our public safety package which includes 17 different bills from 15 different Republican authors across the state. Confronting the criminal threat would include new laws to add a new crime of carjacking to state statute, increase penalties for fleeing police in a motor vehicle, align fentanyl to the same weight thresholds and penalties as heroin, and increase sentences for those convicted with at least two prior crimes of violence.
We continue to throw our support behind our state?s law enforcement officers with robust recruitment, training, and retention plans. The Safe & Sound Minnesota plan provides $1 million for Pathway to Policing, the award-winning program that brings new recruits into public safety from other careers. There is also included $5 million for college scholarships and technology to help law enforcement students prepare for their role and $15 million for bodycams for law enforcement departments.
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A highlight of the week was having the Animal Humane Society bring a number of adorable puppies to the capitol to advocate for the important work they do to protect our four-legged friends. Veterinaries and the humane society do such an amazing job taking care of animals that have been neglected and are in need of a home. Plus they can gladly bring these cute little guys to the capitol any time they want!
If you want to make your voice heard on March 26th in Verndale there will be a town hall meeting to share your thoughts on the legislation coming through the House this session. What are your thoughts on the fast pace and lack of scrutiny? You can always share your thoughts with me at [email protected] or by phone at 651-296-9918.
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/RepKristaKnudsen
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225 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
651.296.6746 |
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