As we head into the third week of Session, we’ve already hit the ground running. We’ve passed two bipartisan bills: one that focuses on tax conformity and providing $100 million in tax cuts to Minnesotans, and one that extends unemployment for miners that were temporarily laid off last year during mine closures. It’s a good sign that we’ve been able to pass two popular bipartisan measures, and I hope it’s a positive sign of what’s to come. 

Through bipartisan efforts, we were able to pass a bill that extends unemployment benefits to 460 miners. This bill shows our commitment to the jobs and miners that form the foundation of our state’s success. The mining industry has always been an important part of our state’s economy, and I’m happy to see the legislature using its power to help the workers that have been affected by mine closures. These are the folks that bring the economic drive to our state, and I am glad that we were able to help them out. We are hopeful that this bill will tide them over until their mines begin reopening in future months. As we move forward, it will also be important for us to continue discussions on the future of mines and how we can ease the burdens they currently face when securing permits. We must support miners and mining in Minnesota.

The Senate also passed a tax conformity bill that provides more than $100 million in tax relief and is especially helpful to those businesses and business owners that were hit hardest by the shutdowns in 2020. Though Senate Republicans passed this conformity last year, as well as a number of additional tax-cutting measures, the bill was halted at the final hour. I’m glad we could revisit this issue and find common ground to make lives better for families across the state. Unfortunately not included in this bill were an elimination of the tax on social security, and a cut of the first-tier income tax bracket. These two points were top priorities in the Republican tax proposal from 2021. We will continue to push for the adoption of these important measures.

There’s also a lot being worked on behind the scenes. This year, I’m sitting on the Regent Candidate Advisory Council. Our role is to advise the legislature in the election of regents to the University of Minnesota. It’s an important role that requires vetting candidates, discussing priorities for our state’s higher education system, and asking candidates tough questions. The Council is responsible for recommending Regent candidates to the Legislature, and due to their staggered terms, only four of those seats are currently open. Regent positions are unpaid and last for six-year terms. The week of January 13, we had multiple hearings that involved meeting and interviewing the candidates. From there, we will narrow the field until we recommend 2-4 candidates per opening to move forward, and it will be in the Legislature’s hands to elect the final candidate for each opening. I’m confident that we will put forward only the best candidates that listen to students, challenge their views, are open to student input, and focus on increasing safety on campus.

As we move into future weeks, many other issues will be before us, including the possibility of a bonding bill, which was unfortunately stopped last year by Democrats’ unwillingness to negotiate. There is a lot on the horizon, and I urge you to continue reaching out to me on the issues that are important to you. Please email my office with comments or concerns, or if you’d like to sign up for my weekly newsletter. I look forward to updating the community on issues of interest.