Volume 2, Number 5

Greetings, This week began with many of my bills receiving hearings on a range of topics before the first deadline. I also attended the Bloomington State of the City luncheon where Mayor Gene Winstead and city staff elaborated on the future development plans and quality of life offered in our great district. As anticipated, this week the full Senate passed a broad package of $430 million in tax cuts, including an elimination of the marriage penalty--saving married couples an average of $115/year starting in 2015 and greatly expanded a tax credit for lower income working families. I was happy to support the repeal of the business taxes enacted last session and increase incentives for startups and entrepreneurs to help bring private investment and new jobs across the state. These tax cuts were balanced with a significant $150 million investment in the states budget reserve account and set an automatic threshold for future surplus revenues. This will increase our state's total reserve to $810.9 million and provide stability for any future economic downturns. Providing targeted tax relief to build on our economys momentum, while ensuring the state budget has adequate revenue in future years, will position Minnesota for continued progress in the years ahead. Thank you,

March 21, 2013 Connect with Me

Facebook www.facebook.com/ MelisaLFranzen Twitter @MelisaFranzen YouTube Melisa Franzen Week in Review

Photo of the Week

Three Rivers Day at the Capital Senator Franzen with John Gunyou, Board Chair of Three Rivers Park District

City of Edina taking Nominations for 12 Annual Heritage Award The City of Edina welcomes you to nominate a local individual, business, or organization that has worked to preserve or restore historical landmarks, businesses, or areas in the city of Edina. Nominations for non-residents are welcome as long as the historical landmark is located in Edina. Established in 2003, the Heritage Award seeks to highlight the efforts of those who safeguard, restore, and rehabilitate the historical integrity of Edina. Nominations are due Friday, April 4th by 4:30 PM. They can be mailed, emailed, or entered online. All entries should be complete with the name of the nominee, their address, the address of the heritage resource, a description of the work done, and a photo. Email: Mail@EdinaMN.gov Online: www.EdinaMN.gov Mail: Edina Heritage Award, Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424 Family Comedy: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at Stages Theater Company in Hopkins This is the last weekend to catch Anne Kingstons play Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Receiving rave reviews, this play closely follows the childrens storey book. Tickets are $15 each and can be ordered by calling (952) 979-1111 Stages Theatre Company 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN Dates: Now March 23, 2014

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Around the District

Around the Capitol

Good news on jobs, business expansion To highlight the states successes, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) recently released a report that showed the state is on track to set a record for the number of new businesses created in a single year. The executive director of the Minnesota Trade Office said that state exports of manufactured, agricultural and mining products grew to $5.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013, a 6% increase from the same period a year earlier. U.S. export growth during that period was 4%. Minnesota was one of 19 states and the only state in the Upper Midwest that saw exports grow more than 5% from the previous year. Minnesota also recently held its unemployment rate at 4.7%, which places the state in the top ten lowest unemployment rates and is significantly below the national rate of 6.6%.

Highlight
Check out the women senators video on empowering women: http://senatedfl.mn/2014/03/17/empowering-women-in-2014/ Senator Franzen shares insights on women in business: http://senatedfl.mn/2014/03/17/talking-business-with-senator -melisa-franzen/

Tweet of the Week

Fun to address a fine group of Cub Scouts @Colonial Church in Edina on #citizenship.

Helping Women Win in Business The Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee heard two bills this week that will invest in female business leaders. The two bills create competitive grant programs that will work to train, mentor and motivate women to take the next step in launching their business.

The first bill would create a women entrepreneurs business development competitive grant program. The goal of the program is to facilitate the creation of high-growth, high-revenue businesses by female entrepreneurs. Next week at the Capitol:

The Week Ahead

The second bill, authored by Senator Franzen, will develop a grant program for organizations that encourage and assist women into Monday: MN Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome high wage and high demand nontraditional positions. The legislation Wednesday: Voices for Children Advocacy Day - Think will also help aid women entering apprenticeship programs in nontra- Small ditional occupations. (S.F. 2274 and S.F. 2158).

Wednesday: MN Coalition for Battered Women Wednesday: Drivers Licenses 4all - MESA Latina Thursday: Arts Advocacy Day - MN Citizens for the Arts

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