Hi Neighbors,
It has been a transformative spring in Minnesota, and my heart is with all the families, students, faculty, and staff in our community who endured moments of horror this week when a student fired multiple shots inside Plymouth Middle School. It’s a miracle that no one was hurt and a clarion call to responsible gun owners to always use locking devices and keep firearms in a safe or lock box.
Like many of you, I watched in uneasy anticipation as we received a verdict in the Derek Chauvin case, a verdict that I sincerely hope will be turning point in our history. George Floyd should be alive, but I hope that this conviction is a step towards accountability for George Floyd’s family. America’s work, our work, to ensure justice, safety and opportunity for all will continue with more intention, more fortitude, and more purpose. We must work together to reduce violence in our society and create a safer society for all of our neighbors, and I look forward to doing that with you. Onwards.
Through it all, I’m working for you in Washington and in Minnesota. Read on to learn more:
A Bipartisan Plan to Rebuild America’s Infrastructure
Anyone who drives on Minnesota roads in the spring knows that there is a dire need to invest in infrastructure across our state and our nation. Investing in our roads, bridges, waterways, energy, broadband, and our future is an opportunity to meet the growing needs of a nation on its way to recovery.
Last week, I joined members of the Problem Solvers Caucus at a policymaking retreat in Annapolis, Maryland, where we collaborated with industry groups, government stakeholders, and members of Congress from both parties to build consensus and chart a path forward on infrastructure legislation. After two days of productive work and substantive debate, we unveiled a framework for a bipartisan infrastructure plan that meets the moment while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The report includes recommendations for investment in our nation’s highways, roads and bridges, public transportation, power grid, water systems, ports and airports, and broadband networks, and you can read it here.
A Big Announcement for Minnesota
This week we learned that Minnesota’s high Census participation rates (first in the nation, with MN-03 leading the pack!) and population growth over the past decade means we’ll be keeping all of our seats, and clout, in Congress. That’s outstanding news, and I’m renewing my mission to bring more of our hard-earned tax dollars back to our communities.
Minnesota is one of just eight states that contributes more to the government than we receive in aid. Washington, D.C. should be encouraging local investment and long-term growth in each and every state, and Minnesotans shouldn’t be burdened more than other states for doing the right thing. In light of this imbalance, I co-sponsored the Payer State Transparency Act, a bipartisan bill that would require yearly reports on the disparities in federal spending and taxation across American state, and I invite people and representatives of all political perspectives to join me in redoubling our efforts to advocate for the federal investments we deserve – and need – in this Congress and beyond.
Protecting the Boundary Waters (and Eden Prairie’s Waters)
For as long as we have been a state, the Boundary Waters have been a source of natural beauty, local prosperity, and Minnesotan pride. With more than 150,000 visitors each year, the BWCA is the most popular wilderness destination in the country, and pollution from sulfide-ore copper mining would have negative environmental and public health impacts and threaten17,000 Minnesota jobs. Last week I joined my colleagues in introducing the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act to protect protecting 234,000 acres of federal wilderness for generations to come.
Rank Your Vote Now for the People’s Choice Award!
Every spring I have the honor of hosting the Congressional Art Competition in Minnesota’s Third District. Since 1982, this competition has showcased the remarkable talent of high school artists across the nation, and as always, the students in our community created some outstanding pieces. I need your help selecting one People’s Choice Award winner, which will be displayed in my Washington DC office. We’ll be using ranked choice voting to select the winner this year, so check out the extraordinary works by our local students, share them with your friends and neighbors, and get your vote in by Friday, May 7th! View the art at RepDP.org/2021art and vote below:
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:
- Get your vaccine: COVID-19 vaccine appointments at Minnesota’s community vaccination centers, including MN-03’s Bloomington location, are now available to everyone 16 and older. Register for an appointment by visiting Minnesota’s Vaccination sign-up website
- Pay your taxes: The deadline to file and pay most federal income taxes has been extended to May 17, 2021. Learn more, and file your taxes for free, here
- Claim your check: Economic Impact Payments are still being distributed, check the status of your payment using the IRS Get My Payment tool
- Apply for relief: The deadline for businesses to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been extended to May 31 and the Small Business Administration has launched the long-awaited Restaurant Revitalization Fund relief program. Registration will begin Friday at 9am ET and the application period will start on Monday, May 3 at 12pm ET
- Remember history: The pandemic limited in-person Presidential Inauguration celebrations this year, but my office has a few commemorative tickets available to share as a keepsake. Tickets are first-come, first-served, and can be requested here
Keep the faith and keep in touch,
Dean Phillips
Member of Congress