Bill Introductions, Tax Updates, + More!

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February 23, 2024

Executive Summary

• Bill Introductions

• Net Operating Loss Update

• Maple Grove Fire Chief Tim Bush Testifies on ESST Mandate

Bill Introductions

I dropped more bills in the "hopper" this week to support our community and state:

• HF 3950: Authorizes city attorneys to take up cases that a County Attorney declines to prosecute. It is limited in scope but gives Cities the opportunity to pursue justice for their community members only when the County Prosecutor declines. City Attorneys outside the Metro already have this authority but City Attorneys in Hennepin and Ramsey County do not. 
• HF 3965: This bill is an update to a law that passed last session due to the advocacy of a student in my district, who wanted to ensure that if someone is a caretaker and they are injured or incapacitated, they could fill out a form so police would know there is someone in their home that needs to be cared for. This young advocate wanted to ensure that the new law, which is voluntary, would give families the ability to list more than 3 individuals under their care, so we are simply removing the limitation of “up to three” in the current statute. It has been so fun to work with this young lady on her idea and see her efforts make a difference for many Minnesota families who care for loved ones!
• HF 4051: Loretto; water treatment improvements funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
• HF 4141: Loretto; water infrastructure improvements funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Net Operating Loss Update

On Monday, the House passed a bill to fix errors that were uncovered over the summer in the 2023 Tax bill. As I explained in my newsletter last week, the Majority failed to include the error with the Net Operating Loss provision in this technical corrections bill. 

Despite promises from both DFL Tax Chairs to fix this error, they ultimately backtracked on that promise and now businesses will be left with uncertainty and higher tax bills until is corrected. If it is corrected later in session, they will have the added expense of filing amended returns.

I moved to declare an urgency during Monday’s floor session to bring forward a Democrat bill (HF 3769) that would deliver on the Tax Chairs’ promise to fix the Net Operating Loss error. Unfortunately, the DFL voted against their own Member’s bill by a vote of 61-69 (the author of the bill voted in favor). Once again, the DFL Majority is breaking its promises and hurting small businesses. 

You can watch my comments on the House floor here. 

Maple Grove Fire Chief Tim Bush Testifies on ESST Mandate

I am so grateful to Maple Grove Fire Chief Tim Bush for his work to exempt paid on-call Firefighters from the Earned Sick & Safe mandates. He has worked with the League of Minnesota Cities and Fire Chiefs across the state to address this issue. The law passed last year does not take into account the unique role of paid on-call firefighters in our communities and would adversely impact staffing and training that could put smaller communities at risk. He did a wonderful job testifying on an amendment to fix this in the Labor Committee yesterday. Unfortunately, his common-sense amendment was defeated along party lines. The author of the bill did say she will continue to work with Chief Bush and others to try to find a solution, so I hope we can eventually get language that recognizes that paid on-call firefighters are unique and already have the flexibility they need to care for their own families in how the current system operates. I am so grateful for all the officials and constituents in our community who bring their ideas and expertise to the legislature to enact policy changes for all Minnesotans!

Photos

It was so fun to have the 4 University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minnesota Men's Hockey players & coach who were part of Team USA at the Capitol! They won the Gold last month at IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden, beating Sweden by 6-2. Congratulations!! Thanks for representing MN & USA so well! 🇺🇸🏒

It was great to meet with so many retailers at the Minnesota Retailers Association at the Capitol. Top concerns continue to be retail theft & mandates that exacerbate employee shortages. So thankful for all of the retailers who provide jobs and drive economic growth in our communities.

Always love the great conversations I have with students from the Osseo Area Learning Center! These students are well-versed in a variety of issues & ask great questions! They also have big dreams & are ready to go into great careers! We need them all!

Finally, an update on the progress of the $730 million Palace for Politicians. Construction crews are working during session on the massive expansion of the State Office Building. Once session is over, members and staff will be moved out of the State Office Building so they can begin work on the entire building.

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.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 every weekday while we are in session.

Of course, if you are coming to the Capitol, I’d love to meet you! Please reach out if you would like to set-up an in-person meeting. 

Have a great weekend!

Kristin

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