Updates on FAFSA, Capitol Mall Design Framework, + More!

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February 2, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Early voting is underway for the Presidential Primary! You can learn more about early voting and the primary here and you can request your absentee ballot here. I strongly encourage everyone to get involved in their party's primary!

Executive Summary

Update: Letter to the Department of Education on FAFSA
Capitol Mall Design Framework
Tour of Hennepin County Food Shelf
Assisted Suicide Hearing

Update: Letter to the Department of Education on FAFSA

Last month, I sent a letter to Secretary Miguel Cardona and our entire Congressional Delegation regarding the new FAFSA form. In a previous newsletter, I explained how the Education Department had not made an adjustment for inflation as required by law, so students and families were set to receive less financial aid than they were eligible for.

Yesterday, the Dept. of Education announced that they have fixed this error and updated the tables used for Student Aid Index calculation to account for inflation. This fix will make a big difference in financial aid awards and I’m glad it was done relatively quickly – even though it has not felt that way to families and students! More from the Dept. of Education:

“Additionally, the Department has updated the supporting tables used in the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation—which replaced the Expected Family Contribution formula—that account for inflation. The updated SAI tables will allow students to benefit from an additional $1.8 billion in aid and ensure that all students can access the maximum financial aid they are eligible for.”

The full press release from the Dept. of Education is linked here.

Capitol Mall Design Framework

As I have discussed many times, the DFL-Majority is insisting on a costly $730 million renovation of the State Office Building, where House Members have our offices. For context, Governor Tim Walz is requesting $982 million in bonding for the entire state this session and we are spending $730 million on just one building that is fully occupied only 5 months each year.

Despite this “Palace for Politicians” just getting started, the Capital Area Architectural & Planning Board (CAAPB) is working on a new plan to revitalize the Capitol Mall, which is expected to cost millions more.

CAAPB announced it will take public comment on the Capitol Mall Design Framework which builds upon the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the Minnesota State Capitol Area which was adopted in 2021.

The Legislature has already spent $1 million for this framework design plan. The report is due on March 1^st, but they are only now asking for public comment.

They were given another $5 million to spend in statute last year but all of that money has to be spent by December 31, 2024 – even though the plan won’t even be finalized. This rush to spend money rather than wait until one project is done or a comprehensive plan is in place is absurd.

I’ve met with the new Executive Director of the CAAPB and encouraged him to ask the legislature for an extension on the use of the $5 million so they are not spending it unadvisedly. There may be the need for new plantings or sidewalks or maintenance items, but I don’t think there is any need to rush to do it this year when the Capitol Complex is already going to be under construction for the next three years. We need to set priorities and make sure that taxpayers’ hard-earned money is not being wasted.

We also need to rein in government spending. According to the new state budget forecast that was released at the end of last year, Minnesota is on track for a deficit if we do not stop these out-of-control spending sprees. We do not need a $730 million office building, nor do we need to spend millions more on amenities to the Minnesota State Capitol Area. While we certainly want the space to be welcoming to citizens and have plenty of space for people to express their views and engage in civil discourse, we do not need to spend taxpayers’ money to add a playground or have amenities like ice rinks. There are many other wonderful parks and public spaces that have those offerings.

To share your comments on the redesign of the Capitol Mall, you can take their survey here. The survey closes at midnight on February 10^th.

Tour of Hennepin County Food Shelf

Last week I toured a Hennepin County food shelf in North Minneapolis. They told me that the number of households they serve has increased from 100 per day to over 300 per day in the last six months. KARE11 recently did a story, citing a 32% increase in families seeking assistance from a food shelf since 2022.

Families and seniors are struggling to make ends meet. Instead of returning a historic, $17.5 billion surplus last session, the Majority spent the surplus AND increased taxes on all Minnesotans by an additional $10 billion. DFL policies are failing hard-working Minnesotans. We need to support families and their budgets to give them the relief they need to cope with the rising cost of living.

Assisted Suicide Hearing

Last week, the House held a hearing on Senator Kelly Morrison and Representative Mike Freiberg's “Assisted Suicide” bill. The bill passed out of committee by a vote of 10-5.

The vote was held on the bill, despite the fact that the Legislature is not currently in session. A non-session Committee vote has only happened 4 times, as far as staff are aware. The full House will now have to approve the Committee’s action as part of “Committee Reports” when we go back into session, which is usually done by voice vote.

Something this important to Minnesota families should have a full debate and recorded vote, which I will press for when we go back into session.

Photos

Great crowd at the Open House for Cake My Day Eatery in Loretto, MN! They bought Dobo's Cafe' and Bakeshop/Catering and are using their original recipes for their legendary Caremel and Cinnamon rolls! 🎉. They will have their Grand Opening sometime in February! Love seeing small businesses grow in #37A! 😍

Great crowd to hear all of the updates at the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce annual State of the Cities Luncheon! Mayor Steffenson from Maple Grove & Mayor McKee from Corcoran as well as all of the other mayors in the corridor gave excellent reports. The NW Metro is thriving! 🎉

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 while we are out of session is by email: rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn.gov. 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

/RepKristinRobbins

239 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806

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