Neighbors and Friends,
It is finally spring – at least on the calendar. I hope you are enjoying the warming days and have a chance to get outside. Committee and House floor action are going full steam. We’ve already had a few late nights deliberating bills and I believe we have a few ahead. Here is the latest from the Capitol:
Budget Targets
In the near future, committee chairs will be receiving our budget targets. Once committee
chairs receive the target for our budget areas, we can begin the final process of allocating funds for requests we receive.
Hands Free and Opioid Bills Pass the House
This week the House passed the Hands Free Cell Phone and the Opioid Crisis bills. The “Hands Free” bill is a common sense measure to keep Minnesotans safe and prevent further tragedies. We heard heartbreaking stories of those whose lives are forever changed because of distracted driving. The opioid crisis continues to impact families throughout the state. The bill will hold pharmaceutical companies accountable as we work to end the epidemic.
Housing
A new report from the Minnesota Housing Partnership highlights the ongoing need to create more affordable homes across the state. Click here to read. Wilder Research also released results of a homelessness report. The Star Tribune also published an article on the report.
I chair the Housing Finance & Policy Division and this information emphasizes what we already know – the housing need is great all over Minnesota. We are tackling this complex issue in committee.
MVP Podcast
I thought you might be interested in listening to the latest Minnesota Values Podcast. Our neighbor and fellow legislator, Rep. John Lesch, is the guest on this week’s episode, talking about prescription drug price gouging. Click here to listen.
Visitors to the Capitol
We are spending more time in committee and on the House floor, so there is less time to meet with visitors to the Capitol, but one group that stopped this week was the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) attending their “day on the hill” events.
If you’d like to follow news from the legislature, read the House of Representatives' Session Daily to get the latest updates.
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Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Alice