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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL)

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Legislative Update - February 6, 2015

Friday, February 6, 2015

Dear neighbors,

Last week, Governor Dayton introduced his budget proposal for the next two years. All House and Senate Finance Committees are reviewing the proposal by each budget item area and we are hearing presentations from the relating state agencies. You can view the details of the Governor’s budget proposal here.

Bill introductions

I have introduced a bill to support the creation of mobile food pantries statewide. Often those with the greatest need lack transportation alternatives to get to the food pantry, a mobile pantry efficiently brings health, fresh food to where it is most needed. My bill will provide grants to help communities throughout the state develop mobile food pantries to support families in need. —and the need is critical, 40% those served by food panties are children.

Our Eagan food shelf, The Open Door, has been a leader in Minnesota on creating an effective mobile food pantry. The Open Door was rated one of the top 15 nonprofits in the state for providing healthy food to the community. And, speaking of our local food shelf, I joined other Eagan elected officials, business leaders, and nonprofit leaders to bag groceries at Cub Foods on Diffley to raise money for the Open Door over Superbowl weekend. The event was a great success—we raised over $3,000, which converts to nearly 14,000 meals, for those who are food insecure in our community. You can find more information on the Open Door here.
 

Homeless Youth Act
I had the great honor of attending the ribbon cutting of the new Brooklyn Avenues in Brooklyn Center last week. This new facility will house homeless youth ages 16-20 and provide support so students can finish school, enter college and gain job skills support. This project was funded in part by the Homeless Youth Act, which I sponsored last session. Brooklyn Avenues is an example of a broad community-wide effort—local leaders, businesses and civic groups came together to provide support and additional funding.

We hear great success stories as a result of the Homeless Youth Act, but our work is not finished.   $5 million in grant funding for projects like Brooklyn Avenues were distributed in 2014. However, more than $10 million in grants were deemed by the Department of Human Services to be eligible, so we still have a funding gap in the program. I'm again cosponsoring a bill with Rep. Anna Wills (R-Apple Valley) to help close this gap with additional funding.

Studies show that youth who are homeless are approached by a trafficker within just 48 hours of them being on the streets. Homeless Youth grants go to fund proven programs that will put kids on a path from risk of long-term poverty, run-ins with the criminal justice system, and severe health and safety risks to a path to prosperity where they can finish school, enter college and find a good job. I'm proud to say that this effort has garnered broad bipartisan support.
 

New Met Council Oversight Subcommittee
I have been recently named to the newly formed Subcommittee on Met Council Accountability and Transparency. The subcommittee will work with local governments and municipalities to provide legislative some oversight of the Met Council to ensure that they are making decisions for both the cities and suburbs in the metro area.

As always, feel free contact me with any questions, concerns, or ideas. You can reach me at 651-296-4128 or rep.laurie.halverson@house.mn. You can also “Like” my legislative page on Facebook. Thank you for the honor of being your voice in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

 

Sincerely,

 

Laurie Halverson

State Representative

District 51B