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Dear Friends,
I hope you all are staying home and staying safe during our first big snow of the season! If you must be on the roads, please be careful!
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Executive Summary
- Historic Budget Surplus
- Walz Administration Effort to Reduce Punishments for Felons
- Tour of Hennepin Tech
- Meeting with Israeli Consul General
- Affordable, High Speed Internet Comes to Dayton Park
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Historic Budget Surplus
On Tuesday Minnesota Management and Budget released the November budget forecast showing a record-setting $7.7 billion projected surplus for the 2022-2023 biennium. The surplus has increased more than $6 billon dollars since the February, 2021, forecast.
This means government is continuing to over-tax hard-working Minnesotans, who are struggling with inflation at it's highest levels in 30 years. Just today it was announced that inflation is now up 6.8% and is expected to be “persistent.” Gas prices are up 50% and energy bills are skyrocketing.
A record-setting surplus like this should take all tax hikes off the table for 2022, including the looming double-digit tax increases on businesses to repay the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund (UITF) – see last week’s newsletter for details on this.
It also shows that we have the resources to cut taxes – the state should not be running such larger surpluses every year. Instead, we should return money to taxpayers so they can spend as they see fit to meet the needs of their families.
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Walz Administration Effort to Reduce Punishments for Felons
Yesterday I joined my House Republican colleagues in sending a letter to the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission urging them to reject a controversial proposal that would reduce sentences for repeat criminals. You can read our letter here.
This sentencing reduction proposal advanced last month on a 6-4 vote. It would do away with in-custody points during the sentencing process. As a result, judges would no longer be able to consider whether a crime was committed in custody, on probation, or supervised release for repeat criminal offenders. As a result, some offenders who would otherwise be sent to prison would receive probation, while others would receive reduced prison sentences.
As crime continues to rise, it is incredibly disturbing that the Walz administration would seek to reduce sentences for repeat criminals and sex offenders. It is the fundamental duty of government to protect the safety of its citizens. We are failing that mission if we allow this reduced sentencing proposal to be enacted.
The Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission is holding a hearing the sentencing guidelines on December 16th at 1pm. I strongly encourage everyone to urge the Commission to support public safety and reject this proposal. More information on the public hearing, including how to submit testimony, can be found here.
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Tour of Hennepin Tech
Last Friday I was able to tour Hennepin Technical College’s Eden Prairie Campus to learn more about their two-year Associates of Applied Science degrees in Manufacturing & Engineering Technology. This program prepares students for careers in the high-tech manufacturing world that are critical to our ability to attract and retain manufacturing employers in our state. The two-year program costs about $12,000 and job placement is very high. Graduates usually find jobs as a Maintenance Technician, Field Service Tech, Engineering Tech, Machine Builder, Programmer or in Sales. The average starting salary is between $54K - $56K and most graduate with little debt. Many students also get paid internships during the program, which lead to their eventual full-time jobs.
Students can also transfer credits between all of the schools in the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MNSCU) system and can use their courses here to get a BA in applied engineering or other 4-year degree. Many students are non-traditional and are taking working toward their degree while also working full-time. Other students are using enrolled through Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) and are getting high school and college credit simultaneously.
This is just one example of many excellent Technical Colleges in our state that are working closely with businesses and students to address workforce needs and prepare students for fulfilling careers.
I also spoke with the President of Pine Technical & Community College this week and have previously met with people from Anoka Tech and Dunwoody College of Technology. All have excellent programs that meet the needs of students and help connect them to a variety of careers in manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and other industries.
If you know students who are not sure what they will be doing after high school or if you know people who are looking to “re-skill” after the pandemic, encourage them to consider the career pathways at one of these great schools!
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Meeting with Israeli Consul General
This week I was fortunate to be able to meet Yinam Cohen, the new Consul General of Israel in Chicago, who was on his first visit to Minnesota! Before I was elected, I worked with the Consul Generals of several countries on foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities in Minnesota and I hope to continue to be able to build bridges with leaders who want to partner with Minnesota to create jobs and export opportunities. Israel and Minnesota have increasing ties in water technologies that will improve efficiency in agriculture and industrial uses and will also benefit the environment. I look forward to working with business leaders from Israel and other countries to continue to drive innovation and expand trade and investment.
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Affordable, High Speed Internet Comes to Dayton
So excited to celebrate the arrival of affordable, high speed internet access in Dayton Park. This area of 34A did not have reliable internet and it was a severe hardship for residents & students during the lockdown & distance learning last year. I am very grateful to Comcast Twin Cities for working with me, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Office of Broadband and other partners to work quickly to find a solution and build out service to the Park. Residents now have access to affordable options like Internet Essentials and the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB).
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Photos
Santa is still in 34A! I caught up with Santa and Mrs. Claus this week in Rogers! Thanks to Rogers Lions MN for hosting such a fun breakfast for the community! 🎄🧑🎄
Such a fun morning at the Maple Grove Community Organization’s Breakfast and Lunch with Santa! Thank you for providing this fun opportunity for families in our community. Always enjoy getting to ser Santa, his Elves, Mrs. Claus, and the Maple Grove Ambassador Scholarship Program!🎄🧑🎄
Another wonderful Holiday Luncheon in the books for I-94 West Chamber of Commerce! In addition to the Toy Drive, Chamber Members generously donated $2600 to CROSS Services! Thanks to intern Izzy for all you have done & Kelly Eull for a great year as Board Chair!
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Please Contact Me
Many of you have already been in touch to discuss your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Thank you for sharing your ideas! Please continue to contact me to discuss any matters to which I can be of assistance.
The House is adjourned until January 31, 2022. The best way to reach me is by email: rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn. For occasional updates, you can follow my Facebook Page at @RepKristinRobbins. You can also leave a voicemail on my office number, 651-296-7806, which is checked a couple of times/week.
Have a great weekend!
Kristin
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225 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806 |
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