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Neighbors and Friends,
This week, the legislature returned from Easter/Passover break and are continuing work on the two-year budget. On Wednesday, the Housing Finance and Policy committee, which I chair, passed HF 1077, the Housing Omnibus bill. This bill provides funding for several programs aimed at helping create more affordable housing, and provisions to ensure Minnesotans are safely and stably housed. You can watch the hearing here.
This week, the House DFL legislative leaders unveiled key budget bills which include significant ongoing investments in education and prioritizes economic assistance to those most impacted by COVID-19. The legislation asks big corporations and the wealthiest to pay their fair share to contribute to these needed investments to help those most impacted by the pandemic.
You can learn more about the Housing Finance and Policy Committee, review our agenda, and view past meetings on the House website committee page.
Your Legislators
Last week, I appeared as a panelist on the Pioneer PBS show, Your Legislators. I was joined by Senator Sandy Pappas, Senator Mary Kiffmeyer and Representative Jeff Backer to discuss a variety of issues including the bonding bill, budget issues and education.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
Last week, the eligibility for vaccines expanded in response to the increased federal government supply expected to arrive in Minnesota this month.
If you haven’t received your vaccination, I encourage you to take a look at Minnesota’s COVID-19 mn.gov/vaccineconnector, call 833-431-2053 or check with your health insurance carrier to help you find out when, where, and how to get a vaccine.
You can learn the most recent statistics on who is getting vaccinating and other key data by clicking on this link.
Star Tribune Column
Eighty-one votes are needed to pass a bonding bill in the Minnesota House. Last Sunday, the Star Tribune’s Lori Sturdevant examined the United State Senate’s filibuster rule and the common thread with Minnesota’s bonding bill vote requirement. As former chair of Capital Investment, I was interviewed, along with three other former chairs, about Minnesota’s supermajority rule. You can read the article here.
Ending Homelessness
On Thursday, Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge announced grants to states and local governments to help those experiencing or at risk for experiencing homelessness. The funding is part of the American Rescue Plan President Biden signed into law last month. You can read more in the Washington Post article here.
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Staying Connected
The House has expanded the number of simultaneous committees it can?webcast live?from a maximum of two to five, so you can stay current on issues moving through committees this budget session.
Also, the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website.
I welcome your questions and comments anytime. You can call me at (651) 296-3824 or send an email to rep.alice.hausman@house.mn.
Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Alice
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