Volume 2, Number 10 May 19, 2014

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Melisa Franzen
Week in Review
Photo of the Week
Senator Franzen highlights the importance of food
shelves in addressing hunger needs in MN, at a press
conference Monday, May 19th.
Greetings,
The 2014 Legislative Session adjourned Sine Die on Friday,
May 16
th
after a historically short session of just 12 weeks.
The primary task for the 2014 Session was to craft a capital
investment bill (bonding bill), to put thousands of men and
women to work improving deteriorating public infrastructure
across the state. The $1.17 billion package addresses years
of neglected maintenance of public assets and funds dozens
of shovel-ready building projects, though it only accounts for
a fraction of the more than $4 billion in bonding requests.
The final bonding package includes investments in housing
infrastructure across the state, roads and bridges, local eco-
nomic development projects and improvements at public col-
leges and universities. Not only will these building projects
create jobs now, but they will sustain local economies and
enhance the quality of life in Minnesota for years to come.
Most significantly, the Legislature approved more than a half
billion dollars in direct tax relief for nearly two million Minne-
sotans statewide. The tax breaks came in the form of income,
property and sales tax relief and will put more money in the
pockets of Minnesota homeowners, renters, businesses,
farmers and local governments.
Finally, we passed a $276 million supplemental budget pack-
age to address most of what remained of the projected sur-
plus. The bulk of these investments focused on enhancing
education opportunities from pre-K to college and providing
much needed support for home- and community-based
healthcare providers. Additional funding went to repairing
roads damaged caused by the long winter and bolstering job
growth initiatives around the state. No less important, the
budget will be structurally balanced in the long-term, with a
$604 million positive balance projected for FY2016-17.
Please stay tuned for a complete re-cap of the 2014 legisla-
tive session.
Sincerely,
Around the District
Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Seeks Habitat for Humanity Volun-
teers
The Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is looking for home improvement volun-
teers for a Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity project from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 21. Volunteers will be painting and taking on general repair ser-
vices for local area home. Habitat for Humanity will provide volunteer training,
materials and supplies. Learn more and register at HERE.

Students on Commission program
The city of Eden Prairie is now accepting junior and senior high school student ap-
plications for the Students on Commission 2014-2015 program. The program aims
to support the development of engaged citizens and demonstrates for young
adults the value of public life. Students in the program will attend regular monthly
meetings of city boards and commissions. They will receive the same prep materi-
als provided to appointed board and commission members, and they will be en-
couraged to lend us their insights and opinions, and participate in board discus-
sion.
Applications must be submitted by Friday, May 23. Students can choose from the
Conservation Commission, the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission, the Heri-
tage Preservation Commission, the Human Rights and Diversity Commission, or
the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission. The commissions meet
at least once a month, and a student may apply for a four- or eight-month term.
To learn more about the commissions or access the application, visit edenprai-
rie.org or contact Lorene McWaters at 952-949-8412.
Highlight


Senator Franzen 2014 Capitol Report with
legislative bill highlights is forthcoming.
Tweet of the Week

TwinCitiesUnitedWay (@UnitedWayTC)
Thanks @RepRyanWinkler & @MelisaFranzen 4
championing increased funding of early learning
scholarships last week. #MinneMinds #mnleg
Around the Capitol

Supplemental Budget Bill
The legislature passed my bill to expand early learning scholarships (S.F. 1966). The bill expands the availability of
early learning scholarships and removes the $5,000 scholarship cap in FY16. The investments include $4.65 million
for Early Learning Scholarships (FY16-17: $9.768 million). This legislation is supported by MinneMinds, a statewide
coalition of more than 70 organizations representing the education community from pre-K through K-12, philan-
thropic organizations, business and local chapters of national non-profits.


Bonding and Cash Bills
My bill to fund the construction of the Edina Veterans Memorial (S.F. 167) will be granted $225,000. In addition, my
bill (S.F. 2141) requesting funding for the construction of the YWCA early childhood education facilities will be
granted $3 million. The Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) legislation that I authored (S.F. 687) will be funded at $1 mil-
lion to provide students with improved transit safety if they walk or bike to school. In addition, SRTS will receive a
general fund appropriation of $250,000 to go towards non-infrastructure activities in the program.

Tax Bill
The tax bill includes my bill (S.F. 2341) which provides for the Edina Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District. Edina may
establish TIF housing districts (affordable housing) in the Southdale-area development; 20-year timeline and 20%,
rather than 40% of units must meet applicable income limits for 25 years.