Dear Neighbors,
Legislators returned to St. Paul February 11 for the 2020 legislative session. It’s a new year, with new challenges, and even a couple of newly elected representatives! One of my House colleagues passed away last Fall and before the end of 2019, another resigned his position, resulting in two new members elected just before we re-convened.
Debate and deliberation last year mostly centered on finance bills to build the 2019-2021 budget. As the only divided legislature in the U.S., crafting an overall budget required intense negotiations among legislative colleagues and by the Governor, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Speaker of the House. As final bills were crafted and votes were cast, Minnesotans’ values were given consideration. Discerning the overall needs throughout the state while considering what Minnesotans care most about is always a consideration.
Whether it’s world-class schools, affordable health care, local jobs projects, or extending a helping hand to family farmers, these are priorities for all Minnesotans -- no matter where you live or what you look like. Your voice and values can inspire action at the Capitol, so be sure to speak up early and often.
If you have a personal story, idea, or question related to business at the State Capitol, please get in touch. You can find my full contact information online at www.house.mn/27B. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here.
Continue reading to learn more about what I’ve been up to lately and what I hope we can accomplish together in this year’s legislative session.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Poppe
State Representative
Get news and updates about agriculture developments at the Capitol
This year I am honored to continue serving as chair of the Agriculture and Food Division in the Minnesota House. My colleagues and I will be hard at work this session to continue addressing unique challenges facing family farmers across Minnesota. Click here to visit our webpage, where you can subscribe to our email list, find audio and video of public hearings, and meeting minutes.
Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act Introduced
Every child deserves a great start, but inaccessible and unaffordable child care is a crisis for many families in Minnesota. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the average annual cost of infant care in MN is $16,087, or $1,341 per month. That’s just the average. Many pay a lot more, especially families with more than one child. The House DFL is proposing a new $500 million investment in early care and learning targeted at Minnesotans from birth to age three. Children, parents, and childcare providers all stand to benefit from our proposal. Read more in this story from the Associated Press.
Read my latest column in the Austin Daily Herald
During session, I will write a column every other week for the Austin Daily Herald. I’ll share the latest news and updates from the Capitol, and take a closer look at issues affecting our community. You can read my first column of the year here.
Presidential Primary
Minnesota’s presidential primary election takes place Tuesday, March 3, but early voting is already underway. You can vote right now via absentee ballot, either by mail or in person at your county elections office. If you’re not sure whether you are registered to vote at your current address, you can check your registration status here. You can always register to vote at your polling place on Election Day. I’m grateful for your participation in the political process!
Grain Bin Safety Week
Agriculture ranks among the most dangerous professions in the United States, and tragically in Minnesota an alarming increase in deaths involving grain bins is leaving families and entire communities heartbroken and looking for answers. This is happening on top of other crises like historically low commodity prices, extreme weather events, and trade uncertainty.
In less than a year, ten people in Minnesota have died in farming-related accidents. One of the most important ways we can honor the individuals who perished is to enact new laws that keep Minnesotans safe on the farm. Governor Tim Walz proclaimed this week, February 16-22, 2020, as Grain Bin Safety Week to draw attention to the rising incidence rates of accidents and deaths in and around grain bins.
Lawmakers in both the Minnesota House and Senate are authoring legislation this year to reduce the number of preventable injuries and deaths. Click here to learn more about the proposals and read a recap of an emotional public hearing that took place Feb. 20. I authored a column about this issue for The Farmer magazine. It will be online here next week.
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Minnesota Legislature
