Dear Neighbors,
I hope this finds you well- and staying warm! We are seeing a lot of activity in our third week of session. Last week, House committees held their first public hearings, which were largely informational presentations by state agencies to get new legislators up to speed on budget and policy issues (and provide updates for returning legislators). Below is an update from the Capitol:
COMMITTEE HEARINGS FULL SPEED AHEAD
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON MINNESOTA
Hearings about climate change’s impact on Minnesota held by the House Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Division received robust attention. During the two-part hearing that took place last Tuesday and Thursday, scientists and professors talked about how climate change has affected Minnesotans, how it may in the future, and what might be done to slow the effects. They focused upon the changes in four sectors — agriculture, cities, public health and biological resources — before shifting to how adaptation and resiliency could stave off the most dire predictions. Watch Tuesday’s discussion in full here and Thursday’s discussion here.
‘HANDS-FREE’ CELL PHONE BILL ADVANCES
Yesterday, the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee advanced the ‘hands-free’ device bill to its next and final stop, the Ways and Means Committee. I am pleased to be a coauthor and to have had the opportunity to support the bill in committee. Safety experts, advocates and family members of loved ones who were killed in distracted driving crashes provided public testimony on the legislation, which has strong bipartisan support. The Senate also heard the companion bill this week. I’m optimistic the proposal will move in both legislative bodies so Governor Walz can sign the bill into law.
HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEES EXAMINE STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH
The House K-12 Finance Division and the Education Policy Division held a significant joint informational committee hearing to explore the growing concerns around student mental health. Various student support personnel, licensed mental health professionals, educators and advocates provided expert testimony and overviews. Of note, data was presented to the committee that shows Minnesota’s student-to-counselor ratio is 723:1, the fourth-worst in the country. The national average is 482:1. Additional investments in student-linked mental health grants could contribute to helping our kids succeed inside and outside of the classroom.
STAY IN TOUCH
I appreciate your feedback and input. Please feel free to call me at the Capitol at 651-296-5510 or send me an email at rep.connie.bernardy@house.mn. You can also follow legislative activity on my official Facebook page.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Connie Bernardy