Neighbors, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I celebrated with family and reflected on gratitude for those I hold dear and for the engaged district I represent! I recently attended a Diwali celebration with several of my House and Senate colleagues. Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, and the event, presented by the Marathi Association of Minnesota, was uplifting and beautiful. Thank you for invitation!  State Budget UpdateThe FY 2022-2023 Biennium Budget Close Report from the MN Office of Budget and Management was recently released. It shows that the FY 2022-23 biennium ended with a balance $820 million higher than estimated at the end of the 2023 legislative session. The difference between the estimated and actual ending balance, $820 million, will be added to the projected surplus for the FY 2024-25 biennium, which was estimated to be $1.583 billion when enacted in May. Minnesota Values ProjectAlmost 7 years ago, the Minnesota House DFL started the Minnesota Values Project (also known as MVP) -- a partnership between Minnesotans, elected officials, and organizations to create a shared vision of the future for our state. Working together, we have strengthened our communities by improving education opportunities, making affordable health care a reality, and increasing economic prosperity for all Minnesotans. Through this project, we have facilitated hundreds of meaningful conversations with people across all of Minnesota about their priorities. We are continuing this work and want to engage with as many Minnesotans as possible. Looking ahead to the 2024 legislative session, we want to hear more perspectives and feedback from Minnesotans. As part of this effort, you are invited to take the new Minnesota Values Project survey. The survey only takes a few minutes, and as we build a shared vision for our state, your input is crucial in this process. You can take the survey by scanning the QR code, or by clicking this link. We look forward to hearing from you.  Energy Assistance Program InformationThe Energy Assistance Program helps pay energy bills for eligible Minnesotans, is free and provides benefits up to $1,400, with additional support to respond to emergencies. Both renters and homeowners can qualify, and eligibility is based on income and household size. This program is federally funded and administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. You can access the application materials here. Free Covid TestsYou can order free rapid-antigen COVID tests through the federal government’s at-home testing program. Each household can order up to four tests delivered directly to your home. These tests are intended to be used by the end of this year. For more information or to place your order, you can visit COVIDTests.gov. Stay connected with the legislatureDuring the legislative interim, you can still turn to the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services for the latest news. Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me any time. You can also connect with me on Facebook here. It is an honor to represent you at the State Capitol. Sincerely, Laurie Pryor State Representative |