Volume 5, Issue 5 — February 8, 2019
Weekly Review Video
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A weekly message from your Senator
Dear Constituents and Friends,
It’s been a busy week at the Capitol with committees in full swing hearing bills including hands-free legislation, electronic monitoring in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, higher education capital investment needs, and requiring a personal finance course to graduate from high school.
There were also a number of press conferences held this week, kicking off with the 100% clean energy press conference, a discussion on wage theft, the announcement of a new United Black Legislative Caucus, and a press conference on tax filing. MN Second Chance also held a press conference and the Joint Religious Legislative Council (JRLC) held their Day on the Hill.
The House and Senate released committee deadlines for the 2019 legislative session. Bills must move out of the house of origin by March 15, and the second deadline of March 29 is for committees to act favorably on bills or companions of bills that met the first deadline in the other chamber. Committees must approve appropriation and finance bills by April 12. The deadlines do not apply to the House committees on Capital Investment, Ways and Means, Taxes, or Rules and Legislative Administration, nor to the Senate committees on Capital Investment, Finance, Taxes, or Rules and Administration.
Keep reaching out if I can be of service.
Sincerely,
Melisa
Tax committee considers tax relief for charitable gambling
The Senate Tax Committee considered several bills this week aiming to reduce taxes paid by charitable gaming organizations. The proposals vary from providing sales tax exemptions on the purchase of pulltabs and paddlewheels, to reducing the overall tax rates applied to an organization’s earnings.
The idea to reduce taxes paid by charitable groups – such as VFWs, local athletic associations, and other groups sponsoring gambling activities – has been around for several years. Advocates typically include nonprofits sponsoring gambling operations and some of the charities who are the beneficiaries of gambling revenue. Some nonprofits have testified that their tax bills are about double what they contribute to charity each year. They argue that reducing tax obligations would free up more money to spend on the programs they support, including little league teams and veterans’ groups.
On the other hand, opponents raise concerns about spending the state’s limited tax-relief dollars on gambling. Some legislators have been reluctant to endorse using state dollars to support gambling operations, and others prefer to target tax-relief investments toward families or businesses. Some of the proposals carry large price tags of up to $150 million per biennium.
The Tax Committee laid over all bills for future consideration. (SF 437, SF 845, SF 414, SF 219, SF 549, SF 371, SF 578)
Moving Minnesota toward 100% clean energy
Youth climate activists and faith leaders joined Minnesota Senate and House legislators at a press conference to discuss legislation that moves Minnesota towards 100% clean energy. The proposal would prompt Minnesota to transition away from power sources that rely on fossil fuels in favor of renewable methods like wind and solar.
Minnesota has made tremendous progress to support clean energy. The legislation introduced provides the framework for Minnesota to move toward 100% clean energy by 2050. The legislation ensures Minnesota can achieve the 100% goal by embracing and expanding our renewable energy options like wind and solar to repower our communities with clean, renewable energy sources.
Introducing the United Black Legislative Caucus
In honor of Black History Month, members of the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives announced the first ever United Black Legislative Caucus at a press conference this week. The goal of the caucus is to elevate and advocate for issues relating to Minnesota’s black communities.
The newly formed caucus creates an opportunity for legislators to intentionally engage other policymakers and community and business leaders around issues and resolutions that will improve the lives of black Minnesotans, and Minnesotans as a whole, through strategic partnerships.
Everyone deserves a second chance
Even through a snowstorm, dozens of citizens came to the Minnesota State Capitol to take part in Second Chance Day on the Hill. The Minnesota Second Chance Coalition is a bipartisan non-profit consisting of hundreds of non-profit member organizations and individuals. The group strongly advocates for second chances for persons who have been punished for crimes so they can earn the opportunity to live, work, and grow to be fully contributing members of their communities.
Their work advocates for fair hiring, housing, voting, sentencing practices, and ensuring that everyone is treated equally and fairly in the criminal justice system. They are also working to ensure juveniles involved in the justice system are not limited in their ability to become successful adults.