Dear neighbors, I hope you and your loved ones are enjoying the first weeks of spring! The legislature is currently in the middle of a break, but last week was a particularly busy period at the Capitol. After several months of working on proposals and hearing feedback from Minnesotans, legislators finished developing omnibus bills – packages of legislation that outline our plans for a specific area of the budget. We’re working hard to advance bills that will improve the lives of Minnesotans. Reducing Costs for Minnesotans While the omnibus bills we’ve introduced address a variety of issues, one of our goals is to reduce costs. We have several plans to help Minnesotans with some of their largest expenses, including child care, housing, health care, and student debt.  As you can see, we’re putting workers, families, and students first instead of advancing tax cuts that primarily benefit large corporations and wealthy individuals. Our proposals are designed to support Minnesotans who are struggling and help those who need it most. Addressing the Climate Crisis As vice chair of the House Climate and Energy Committee, I’m proud of the omnibus bill we put together! It invests $175 million in initiatives that will lower energy costs, create good-paying jobs, and boost our economy while fighting the climate crisis. Some of the highlights include: - $30 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program that helps people make their homes safer and more energy efficient
- $10 million to establish an innovative finance authority that will fund clean energy projects
- $8 million to help local governments purchase solar panels and install them on public buildings
- $3 million to help cities develop and implement climate action plans
- $7.2 million to install electric vehicle charging stations at state and regional parks, rest stops, and county government centers
Several bills that I championed are included in this legislation! These bills would: - Expand Solar for Schools, a popular grant program that helps schools purchase and install solar energy systems
- Identify effective ways to reduce Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions
- Create a weather resiliency program to help communities prepare for severe weather
- Establish renewable energy requirements for public buildings
If you have any questions or feedback you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact me by email at rep.patty.acomb@house.mn or call (651) 296-9934. Sincerely, Patty Acomb
State Representative |