SD47 DFL engages on Key issues - Issues that make people vote blue.
1 Deadlines: 2024 MN Legislature - committee due dates
- Feb 12 - May 22, 2024 MN Legislature in session
- March 22: Committees in both bodies must act favorably on bills that are not major appropriation or finance bills
- April 19: Committees in both bodies must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
- Adjourn May 20, 2024
2 Philosophy of Democrats in Minnesota
www.dfl.org
Democrats in Woodbury, MN and south Maplewood, MN are part of the 80,000+ voters in DFL Senate District 47, set up every 10 years by the Census in 2020. Minnesota voters get about $12,000 per person because we answered the Census form. We are part of the state-wide Democrats - called the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party of Minnesota.
3 Key Issues to pass This Year
DFL Party Documents including Party Platform
https://dfl.org/partydocuments/
What laws the DFL prioritizes to pass this year -
a) Two-Year Party Platform follows the two year cycle (6 pages long)
i) Minnesota Legislature funds 2024-2026 Infrastructure Roads/Buildings
ii) Minnesota Legislature funds 2023-2025 Salaries and Departments
b) This year's Action Agenda
The US FEDERAL budget DEFICIT. CBO has $5T revenue and $7T spending; it's starting to gain more revenue with more jobs & less inflation.
https://www.cbo.gov/publication/42635
4 What do LOCAL VOTERS want?
a) Caucus Night - propose a law "Resolution" 5-word headline + 1 sentence
b) Endorsing Convention - Vote for a slate of the top (38) Resolutions
c) Town Halls - Ask Questions and Hear updates of elected leaders
d) Rallies, Marches, Action day at the Capitol
e) Advocacy - DFL-aligned Groups
Follow our Social Media pages for breaking news on key issues.
Today, 550,000 Minnesotans pay more than 30% of their income on housing (also known as “cost burdened”)—a number that continues to escalate.
These families are forced to choose between paying for housing and other necessities such as food, medical care, transportation, and clothing. Rising housing insecurity, which disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous, and other households of color (BIPOC), often results in eviction, substandard living conditions, the lack of choice in one’s housing, and even homelessness.
https://mhponline.org/mhp-releases-key-facts-on-housing-2022/
View the INFOGRAHIC 4-page overview
https://mhponline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024_State_Profile_Findings_FINAL.pdf
Mayor Ann Burt displayed the LAND USE allocated to
🟥$600,00 + and up > $1 million
🟧$400,000 - 500,000
🟨$300,000 - 400,000
📗$200,000 - $300,000
🟩$100,000 - $200,000
🩶Not residential
from Washington County CDA Woodbury, MN
https://www.washingtoncountycda.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/401-21_Wash-Co_Update-of-Housing-Needs_FINALV3.pdf
Woodbury is the largest submarket in the County and is projected to maintain the largest population and household base through 2030. In addition to housing and population, Wood‐ bury also has the largest employment base in Washington County. Demand will be driven by the expanding local employment base as well as the close proximity to job centers in the Twin Cities core. Woodbury also has an ample supply of land on its east side available for new housing.
DEMAND SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS MAXFIELD RESEARCH & CONSULTING, LLC 281
For‐Sale Housing: To meet the projected single‐family home demand, Woodbury will need to maintain a supply of about 925 lots to allow adequate consumer choice. Currently the supply is 302 vacant developed lots and 329 future lots in existing developments. In addition, there are 361 lots in potential future subdivisions that are pending or proposed. The current supply does not meet the recommended three‐year lot supply. All of these future lots would need to be platted in order for Woodbury to have a three‐year lot supply. Rental Housing: There is demand for additional rental units in Woodbury and rents in Wood‐ bury are among the highest in Washington County. About 74% of the general occupancy rental demand will be for market rate units. In addition to high rents, the vacancy rate in Woodbury is below market equilibrium at 2.6% as of 4th Quarter 2016, indicating demand for rental units, although some of the newest rental properties are experiencing a temporary softness in occupancies. Senior Housing: The majority of the senior housing developments in Woodbury are newer (built after 2000). However, demand for senior housing in Woodbury is projected to continue to grow to 2020. There is sufficient demand to support additional senior housing units in Woodbury. There is demand for 306 active adult units and 353 service‐enhanced units by 2020 accounting for the new properties that recently opened and/or are under construction in Woodbury.
PHOTO on LEFT: Current US building codes require two stairways, resulting in LONG, SKINNY 🔲1-window apartments, along a long hallway.
PHOTO on RIGHT: A center courtyard with two towers; a set of four apartments are served by 1 staircase & elevator, allowing for cross-ventilation and natural light, as well as 🔴small efficiency, 🟡medium 1-BR 🔵large 2-BR, and 🟢huge 3-BR sized apartments.
Mark Eliason of Larch Lab - points out 18th C fire code is the reason for 2-stair building codes; which don't apply today.
Related: Check out www.toderianurbanworks.com
About
Democrats have a Mission as "SD47 DFL"
in Woodbury and south Maplewood, MN
60% Elect all the Democrats
30% Engage on Key issues - so we VOTE EARLY/VOTE BLUE
10% Educate on Civics
People
Our EXECUTIVE committee Budgets, Raises and Spends money following the MN Campaign Finance Board rules.
5 Party Officers,
12 Directors,
a dozen regional leaders CD2, CD4, SCC)
We meet on the 1st Thursday of the month, 6:30pm - 8pm
We serve 2-year elected terms, starting at the Endorsing Convention on Apr 6, 2024 at East Ridge High School.
Our CENTRAL committee Supports People to WIN ELECTIONS
We add (19) Precinct Chairs, and
their (38) Vice Chairs to the Executive committee
We meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:30pm - 8pm
We serve 2-year elected terms, starting on Caucus Night, Tues Feb 27, 2024 at Woodbury High School.
Candidates
We recruit people to train and run for office and grow in their leadership skills. Elections follow a four-year cycle, depending on the office. We inform voters about Multiple candidates -- that run for federal, state, regional, local office - in (19) voting neighborhoods called "Precincts"
Services
As 100% Volunteer-led and 100% Donor-funded,
the VALUE we provide is a format for dialogue and discussion around group problems, which we SOLVE BY VOTING. That's Democracy.
When Minnesotans age 16+ get involved to advocate and do fairs and parades, we are stronger together. Ages 18+ can vote and handle funds. We are family-friendly and keep improving to offer ways parents with kids/family obligations can participate. We are the Big Tent party, which means MOST of us agree with 60% of our platform.
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47B Rep Ethan Cha, Legislative Update: March 11, 2024
Monday, March 11, 2024
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Dear Neighbors, The House had another busy week debating legislation, hearing from constituents, and discussing how we can solve thew biggest issues facing our state. In addition to these legislative updates, please make sure to follow me on Facebook to see all the news from St. Paul! Recently, the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget released the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 biennium, projected to end with a $3.7 billion surplus, which is $1.3 billion more than the projections in November of 2023. We are in a strong position to weather unforeseen challenges that may come our way down the road. Our economic outlook is a testament to the strength and resiliency of the people of Minnesota. We owe it to Minnesotans to continue managing our state’s finances in an effective, responsible manner while being responsive to challenges facing people and communities across the state. Here is an update from the capitol. |
Protecting the Health of our Kids
As a parent, I’ve seen firsthand how the tobacco industry has attracted Minnesota kids with tobacco products in fruit, mint and candy flavors. I’m not willing to trade children’s lives and futures for tobacco industry profits, which is why I introduced my bill last week to ban these products. Minnesota is ready to get this bill passed to improve health and stop the cycle of tobacco addiction that causes kids to become lifelong customers, costing us thousands of lives and billions in health care costs every year.
The safety and future of Minnesota's youth are non-negotiable, and safeguarding Minnesota's youth takes precedence over Big Tobacco's profits.
Property Tax Refund
With tax season underway, DFLers worked diligently to ensure Minnesota families have access to the tax credits and deductions they've earned, strengthening their financial foundation. We worked to simplify the Property Tax Refund, making sure every renter will receive the refund they deserve, one-third of whom are seniors or people with disabilities.
You can qualify for the $204 average refund by visiting www.revenue.state.mn.us/property-tax-refund.
The PACT Act
The PACT Act is a new law expanding VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law helps the VA provide generations of Veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they have earned and deserve. You can learn more about the PACT Act and how to file a claim, by clicking here.
Protecting Low Income Seniors
Last week, we heard stories from senior citizens living on fixed incomes in subsidized housing about how they are being priced out of their apartments. Currently, landlords base rental increases on the area median income, which is based on working people’s wages. For many senior citizens, income is fixed.
That’s why we have introduced legislation to change the formula by which rental increases are calculated for multifamily housing developments that receive a federal low-income house tax credit. In exchange for the tax credit, developers agree to designate a certain percentage of units for low-income tenants.
Debt Fairness Act
Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the country. That’s why DFLers have introduced the Debt Fairness Act. Too many people are saddled with unmanageable debt, and our current laws have been insufficient at addressing this dilemma. Medical debt depletes peoples’ rainy-day funds, causes them to incur credit card debt, and to forgo medical treatment altogether. The Debt Fairness Act aims to unburden Minnesotans from medical debt and help working and middle class families make ends meet.
Keep in Touch
You can contact me at rep.ethan.cha@house.mn.gov or 651-296-1147. You can follow me on Facebook as well. I appreciate the opportunity to serve our district in the legislature and look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Ethan Cha
State Representative
SD47 offers many ways to share how we should be deciding important issues and funding them.
*Contact your leaders, directly
*Show up at Town Halls
*Visit monthly meetings, where leader give us updates
*Attend fun events hosted by your neighbors
PHOTO: Woodbury Days booth in Ojibway Park, with Sen. Nicole Mitchell, Rep. Ethan Cha and (not shown) Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger talking to voters.
PHOTO: Who are some of our Minnesota Senators and leaders? Here they saw the "Barbie" movie at Alamo. We host Issue Forums, Meet and Greets, and fun events to connect to people in power.
Photo (left) is REVENUE, mostly from income taxes
Photo (right) is EXPENSES, mostly on Education and Health
When you show up, your voice prioritizes Key Issues
PHOTOS: Democrats finished a Balanced Minnesota budget, on time.
(Left) Revenues are shown in Millions, (so add 000,000)
Balance forward is $7,026,000,000
State Govt: Democrats passed a $17 Billion Minnesota Budget that is Balanced, with some money $1B in the bank for a Rainy Day. MN Office of Management and Budget OMB:
PIE CHARTS - show the REVENUE and the EXPENSES by year
https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/documents/budget/operating-budget/enacted/2023/eos23-fba-piecharts.pdf
What BUDGET is Gov. Walz proposing for 2024?
https://mn.gov/governor/accomplishments/one-mn-budget.jsp
Party Platform
What's our DFL Party Platform?
https://dfl.org/partydocuments/
US Govt: The $7 Trillion Federal Budget was balanced under Obama.
Under Republicans, the balanced federal budget ran a $4Trillion deficit; the Revenue was slashed by $3Trillion, and $7Trillion Expenses increased by 10%, mostly for the military. Congressional Budget Office source:
https://www.cbo.gov/publication/42635
US Govt Budget / CBO spends more than it collects.
LEFT: The bigger donut chart is $7 Trillion spending.
RIGHT: The smaller donut chart is $4Trillion revenue.
The US Govt budget was BALANCED under DEMOCRATS.
The REPUBLICANS cut $3Trillion in tax revenue, mostly for the Very Rich
Your vote is your voice. You can also show up and help us improve our ideas.
PHOTO (left) SD47 DFL hosts Coffee & Conversation twice per month, for 30 min+.
PHOTO (right) SD47 DFL attended this Maplewood, MN Picnic, where Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jeager is speaking (hosted by SD41)
at Caucus Night Tues Feb 27, 2024 Woodbury High School
and at the Convention Sat Apr 6, 2024 East Ridge High School
YOUTH
East Ridge High School Democrats
Follow them on Instagram
@erhsyoungdems!
SENIORS
DFL Seniors, East Metro Chapter
https://www.dflseniors.org/
Subscribe
SD47's Big Tent NewsletterSign up for the SD47 Big Tent Newsletter. Sent by email around the 1st and 15th of the month.
Our Goal is (4) Headlines, (4) photos, (4) links and 300 words.
If we run out of time, the newsletter gets longer.
No PAYWALL. We ask for a $20 donation - so we can help you BE AN INFORMED VOTER.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sd-47-votes-dem
