(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted to the Patriot from Tom Emmer’s office).
Last week’s town hall focused on tax season and any tax-related questions our callers had. We had a great discussion, and I look forward to hosting future town halls on issues that are important to the residents of the Sixth District.
Infrastructure
Last week, we also saw the release of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan. This plan is a veiled attempt by the Biden Administration to use tax hikes on Americans to pave the way for a Green New Deal agenda.
Only 25% of President Biden’s plan is dedicated toward roads, bridges, and other traditional transportation infrastructure. The package also introduces new tax increases at a time when the economy is just beginning to get back on its feet.
I had hoped the Biden Administration would consider bipartisan solutions like my National Interchange and Intersection Safety Construction Program Act, which prioritizes funding for intersections and interchanges, improves safety, and increases local control over federal transportation dollars. He could have also considered my National Bridge Replacement and Improvement Act, which creates a grant program for bridge improvements, replacements, and repairs.
We need to focus on traditional transportation infrastructure, like roads and bridges, and also broadband.
Sixth District
Each year, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) selects families across the nation who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of children in need of permanent, loving, forever homes. The Yagers were honored last year for their enduring fight and sacrifices to adopt their daughter, Olivia.
Alejandra, a caseworker in my office assisted the Yager family with their adoption process! My casework staff are always ready and willing to assist you with any federal needs you have.
I also had a great meeting with a young constituent named Matthew Scherber. He is involved with Teens for Christ Leadership through St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and attends Buffalo High School. We discussed our shared support for pro-life policies and discussed his passion for photography. He submitted a photograph, “Fruits of the Harvest” to my art competition last year which won second place!
I had a chance to meet Jonathan Imdieke, a constituent who recently completed his project to become an Eagle Scout! It was an honor to meet Jonathan. I learned about his time in the Boy Scouts and all of the hard work it took to become an Eagle Scout. Congratulations Jonathan!
I also hosted a roundtable event with law enforcement from around the Sixth District in St. Cloud. Lately, the national conversation around policing and police reform has left out the most important group: law enforcement officers. I met with many leaders in the District to listen to their needs and priorities, to learn how I can help them keep our communities safe.
Credit Unions
Our credit unions offer an incredible range of financial products and services to members throughout the Sixth District. During the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, credit unions have gone above and beyond, facilitating more than 170,000 loans to small businesses and ensuring the availability of stimulus payments for their members.
Last week, I introduced the Credit Union Governance Modernization Act to update the membership procedures our nation’s credit unions follow in order to enhance employee and member safety.
Currently, the law requires a federal credit union to hold a vote of its entire membership before it can expel a member who engages in egregious, sometimes dangerous or illegal conduct. This can include physical damage to property, harassment, or threats. My legislation simplifies the member expulsion process while ensuring a fair process for reinstatement.
Minnesota and its 1.8 million credit union customers have championed this effort at the state-level with incredible success. By supporting them and this change nationally, I know it will make credit unions around the country safer for both employees and members.
