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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This week was “second deadline” at the legislature, so we were all working hard to complete our committee work. Many committees again met in the evenings in order to hear all the bills ahead of today's deadline.
Yesterday was also the final deadline to repay the Unemployment Insurance debt and replenish the Trust Fund without incurring a tax increase on job creators. House Republicans made another attempt to bring up the bill on the House floor yesterday, but the DFL blocked it by a vote of 64-67.
Even if we get this done later in the session, employers will now still have to pay a higher tax bill because House Democrats refused to side with the Governor, Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats, and House Republicans to pass UI relief. I will keep working with my colleagues to get this done and to support our job providers.
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Executive Summary
- Avian Flu Information
- Update on TikTok Bill
- CA Fuel Regulations
- Budget Spending Targets
- Reinsurance
- Earned Sick and Safe Bill
- Honoring Bill Marx - a true public servant
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Avian Flu Information
Cases of the High Pathogenic Avian Influenza have been confirmed in Minnesota. The Avian Flu has been spreading across the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. and Canada since late November 2021, impacting wild birds and poultry facilities. This disease is highly contagious for birds and is often fatal to chickens and turkeys. However, it does not pose a food safety risk and poultry products remain safe and nutritious.
The Avian Flu can impact even backyard flocks. You can learn more about how this disease spreads and what precautions you can take to protect your flock here.
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Update on TikTok Bill
My bill to prohibit social media algorithms for kids finished its committee tour in both the House and Senate this week. The bill was heard and passed out of the Senate's Civil Law committee on Tuesday. It now sits at the general register waiting to be passed by both the House and Senate.
On Sunday I spoke with Blois Olson about the bill and the need to protect our kids online, which you can listen to here. I also sat down with CCX Community News to discuss the feedback I've received from the tech industry and parents. You can watch that interview here.
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CA Fuel Regulations
Despite Minnesotans paying record prices at the pump, the House DFL and the Governor unveiled plans this week to drive up the cost of gas even further by making our state comply with California fuel standards (CFS.)
The CFS proposal would cause the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel to increase by 20 cents per gallon in the near term and up to 54 cents per gallon by 2035. The CFS would force the average Minnesota household to spend an additional $210 to $570 per year, every single year at the pump.
Supporting this bill while Minnesotans are already facing higher gas prices amidst inflation, a supply chain crisis, and the conflict in Ukraine is incredibly tone-deaf. Additionally, none of these extra costs will go towards maintaining our roads and bridges.
In a hearing this week in the House, the DFL Majority blocked opponents of this bill from testifying and shut down questions by Members after just a few minutes. The public should be able to weigh in on proposals – that is the essence of democracy.
I will keep fighting against these proposals and working to alleviate financial burdens for families and businesses in this high-inflation economy.
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Budget Spending Targets
Next week will be “third deadline” week where we vote on the giant “omnibus” bills for each committee. Although we are in the middle of the two-year budget approved last summer, because of the $9.3 billion surplus, Governor Walz and the House DFL have put out additional enormous spending proposals in a non-budget year.
Generally, each committee would receive a “budget target” so both the Majority and Minority would know how much each Committee will have to “spend” of the total budget. This year, however, although the DFL Majority has the budget targets, they have not told the Minority what they are and apparently do not plan to do so before we vote on these bills next week. We asked for clarity on this on the House floor last night and also in the Ways & Means Committee today (insert Link of NASH exchange).
It is unacceptable that they will not share the budget targets with us. I will not vote for any bills that come up in my committee without understanding how much of the taxpayers’ money they are trying to spend.
In general, as I have said many times, I support giving hard-working families and seniors their money back through permanent tax relief.
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Reinsurance
This week the House, Senate, and Governor were able to come to an agreement in order to stop a massive increase in healthcare premiums. Yesterday we voted to extend reinsurance for five years and fund it for three more years. As I wrote last week, we had to reach an agreement by today in order to keep healthcare costs low.
I fought for the extension and funding last year on the House floor, but the DFL would only approve one of the needed two years, which caused insurance rates on the individual market to go up last fall, as expected.
I am glad the legislature and the Governor were able to work together to get this done by the deadline.
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Earned Sick and Safe Bill
I will always stand up for our small and mid-size business owners to make sure they are able to survive amidst inflation, a supply chain crisis, and workforce challenges. That's why I spoke against the Earned Sick & Safe bill this week, which would have only compounded the current workforce problems they are facing. You can watch my speech here.
Honoring Bill Marx - a true public servant
Yesterday we honored Bill Marx, the long-time Director of the House Fiscal Analysis department. He has worked for the House for 43 years and has capably led a team that provides essential non-partisan analysis (“fiscal notes”) for all of the bills we hear in Committee and debate on the floor. Bill and his staff ensure that we meet our constitutional obligations to balance the budget every two years and the quality of Bill’s leadership and work has been recognized by his peers nationally.
Bill’s steady leadership and excellent analysis will be deeply missed by all of us, but he has left us with a terrific team who will continue to serve the House and the people of Minnesota very capably.
It has been a privilege to work with Bill over the last four years – he is truly a public servant in every way. I wish him and his family great joy in retirement!
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Photos
Fun evening attending the Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for the Maple Grove Ambassador Scholarship Program! These young women serve our community with such grace and poise, but earlier this week t it was all about who could eat the most spaghetti! 😂Great job, as always, Ladies! 😍💐
Had a wonderful time attending the Holi celebration at Osseo Middle School with an old and new friend today! All of the vibrant colors and dancing gave us hope for spring!
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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 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 multiple 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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