Governor Mark Dayton has issued a proclamation declaring April as Financial Literacy Month in Minnesota. Financial Literacy Month kicks off an unprecedented statewide outreach effort organized by the state’s newly founded ‘Interagency Work Group on Financial Literacy.’ Over the next four weeks, the work group will be coordinating nearly 40 outreach events, such as educational workgroups, financial trainings, and homeownership forums for Minnesota students, soldiers, families, and senior citizens.

Governor Dayton noted in his proclamation that, “Providing all Minnesotans the tools to make informed choices and avoid pitfalls helps improve their financial security.”

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Governor Mark Dayton’s New Jobs New Jobs Tax Credit is focused on immediate job creation. It would provide businesses with a $3,000 tax credit for each unemployed Minnesotan, Veteran or recent graduate hired in calendar year 2012 and a $1,500 credit for each new hire through June 2013. This $35 million initiative would create over 10,000 new, private-sector jobs each year.

As Minnesota emerges from a deep recession, the focus of the legislature needs to remain on job creation.  Today, 55,000 more people are employed than at the height of the recession, but many more remain jobless.  The New Jobs Tax Credit is designed to give local businesses an incentive to hire unemployed Minnesotans, especially those who were hardest hit by the recession, Minnesota veterans and recent college graduates.

Minnesota National Guard’s Adjutant General, Richard Nash, recently reported that of the over 3,000 Minnesota Guardsmen and women presently serving in Kuwait, 22% of them will be unemployed, when they return home. The New Jobs Tax Credit will ensure that we reverse this shameful fact and make sure all of Minnesota’s veterans return to jobs in their hometowns across the state of Minnesota.

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This week, America celebrated Military Saves Week – a week-long campaign focused on encouraging the men and women of our armed forces to learn more about their finances, take full advantage of military benefits, and avoid financial fraud that targets military servicemembers.

In recognition of Military Saves Week, the Minnesota Department of Commerce launched a new section of our website dedicated exclusively to providing financial tips and tools for military servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Knowledge is power, and oftentimes information is the best defense for the financial wellbeing of any family – including military families.

At the Department of Commerce, we know the stresses of deployment can have a significant impact on the budgets of military personnel and their families. With a long list of uncertainties to navigate, it is essential for military servicemembers to utilize all available resources to make informed financial decisions before, and after deployment. That’s what this effort is all about.

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Governor Dayton attended a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Proclamation Ceremony in Duluth yesterday to recognize four cities, a company and a network as the newest Yellow Ribbon entities.

The Yellow Ribbon cities proclaimed were Pine City, Hibbing, Chisholm and Grand Rapids. The Yellow Ribbon Network proclaimed was the Hibbing/Chisholm area and the Yellow Ribbon Company proclaimed was Cliffs Natural Resources.

The Yellow Ribbon Recognition Program pays tribute to communities with an exceptional record of caring, commitment and compassion for their military members and families through various programs and public works.

These communities have gone above and beyond. They have built an enduring network throughout key areas in support of Service Members and families that will be in place long after the yellow ribbons are untied. This commitment brings great pride to the people of Minnesota and the United States.

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The Office of Governor Dayton sent out its latest newsletter today: Supporting Minnesota's Veterans.

The newsletter highlights Governor Dayton's proposed expansion of the Minnesota GI Bill and the first Better Government for a Better Minnesota awards, including a detailed look at the award winners (see Spotlight on Reform).

It also covers the Governor's latest move to simplify Minnesota's environmental review process and provides an update on the work the Administration is doing with permitting reform to "move at the speed of commerce" so businesses can grow and retain jobs.

If you haven't signed up for the newsletter yet, click here.

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On Friday, Governor Dayton delivered the keynote address at the State of Minnesota Veterans Day Program and proclaimed Veterans Day in Minnesota, recognizing and appreciating all that has been given and sacrificed by America's Veterans in order to ensure that all Americans enjoy the blessings of freedom and liberty.

Governor Dayton told hundreds of veterans that the best way to show thanks to returning solders and veterans is to give them a job, according to Minnesota Public Radio .

Gov. Dayton said Americans owe a great debt to these men and women who sacrificed so much for their country.

But he said a lot of soldiers are coming back from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to find a dearth of jobs at home.

"Here in Minnesota, the unemployment among Minnesota veterans is by some counts more than double the state average," said Dayton. "There's something terribly wrong when women and men who have served their country have returned home and find their only opening for them is the unemployment line."

Dayton said the best anti-poverty program for a veteran is a job.

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Today, Governor Dayton proposed expanding the Minnesota GI Bill to provide thousands of Veterans access to new job training.

In a highly-competitive job market, Veterans often need additional education and skills training to reenter the workforce. This need for continued educational development is not limited to recent Veterans and by expanding the Minnesota GI Bill; Governor Dayton will make sure all Veterans have access to the job skills they need to be successful in today’s economy.

Every year, thousands of Minnesotans dutifully and nobly serve their state and nation as members of the armed forces. Governor Mark Dayton believes it is our state’s duty to ensure these men and women have the support they need to succeed when they return home.  In the next legislative session, Governor Dayton and the Legislature have an opportunity to work together on behalf of these Veterans and all Minnesotans.

Governor Dayton has outlined two initiatives that he will ask the Legislature to support:

• Expand the GI Bill: Currently the MN GI Bill applies only to Veterans who served after 9/11 and the families of deceased or qualifying disabled Veterans. Governor Dayton’s proposal would expand the qualifications so that all Minnesota Veterans can access the training they need to get good jobs. 

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Governor Dayton has proclaimed Friday, November 11, 2011, Veterans Day in Minnesota, recognizing and appreciating all that has been given and sacrificed by America's Veterans in order to ensure that all Americans enjoy the blessings of freedom and liberty.

Many Minnesotans have paid the supreme sacrifice in defense of the freedom and liberty that we enjoy every day and which people around the world long for.

Although the debt we owe to America’s Veterans can never be fully repaid, Veterans Day marks a time to gratefully recognize and appreciate all that has been given and sacrificed by those Americans and Minnesotans who dedicated their lives to defending our country and its principles.

To view the proclamation, click here.

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The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced today that it received a $1.18 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to help improve transportation options and mobility for Minnesota’s veterans, service members, their families and other Minnesota residents.

“It is very appropriate that we acknowledge this grant two days before Veterans Day,” said MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel. “This will help us expand needed transportation services for our veterans and their families. The application was a collaborative project and we greatly appreciate the work of all of our partners.”

The grant is from the USDOT Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative Capital Grants Program.

To read the full news release, click here.

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Governor Dayton has proclaimed this week, November 7-11, 2011, as Minnesotans Salute Veterans and Diversity Week — encouraging schools, businesses, individuals, state and local governments, and local community providers to work together to promote awareness of the many contributions of Veterans and the value of diversity in our communities.

Veterans make significant contributions to Minnesota and the United States. The active and selfless participation of members of all races, genders, creeds, and national origins in the United States Army and Armed Forces contributes to the strength of our nation and makes Minnesota a better place to live.

Governor Dayton honors the achievements and sacrifice of Minnesota's veterans and recognizes the strength that diversity adds to our armed forces and our state.

To view the proclamation, click here.

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