Dear Neighbors, Our May 20 adjournment date is drawing closer, and several policy committees have mostly wrapped up their work for the session. Last week, the Human Services Policy Committee, which I chair, approved our comprehensive policy bill. Among the highlights is a provision to abolish the subminimum wage, which currently pays individuals with a disability less than the state minimum. We heard very emotional testimony on this issue and putting the end to this practice is the right thing to do. You can read the nonpartisan Session Daily article on the hearing here. You can watch the video here. The measure now heads to the Ways & Means Committee. An important piece of legislation I am authoring is called the Comprehensive Solutions to Mental Health. This bill continues to build out the system to help people dealing with a mental health issue and is the result of work done by the Mental Health Legislative Network and the Department of Human Services. It streamlines the system and makes the policies we have more person-centered. The bill also identifies some of the financial supports needed to continue building out the mental health system. Budget FrameworkLegislative leaders and Governor Walz have agreed on the supplemental budget framework for the 2024 session. The budget allows lawmakers to address the most urgent challenges impacting working families and communities. In addition, it maintains our stable economic forecast into future years. We are committed to investing in statewide infrastructure projects to help communities protect access to safe drinking water, fix roads and bridges, encourage innovation at our colleges, universities, and tech schools, get tools to our first responders to they can answer the call during emergencies, and help all Minnesota communities thrive. Veterans Day at the CapitolVeterans are invited to participate in the annual day at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 17. See the information below on how you can talk to legislators about your priorities. I hope to see you at the Capitol on April 17!  Legislative SurveyPlease take a few minutes to fill out my 2024 legislative survey. Your responses will help me more fully understand your viewpoints, concerns, and values. Thank you for making your voice heard! You can weigh in through March 31. Weighing In on The Capitol Mall RedesignThe Capitol Mall is a beautiful amenity for all Minnesotans to enjoy. The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board is offering Minnesotans a chance to weigh in on the future of the mall’s design. You can click here to view the preliminary Capitol Mall Design Framework and Phase 1 recommendation. Take the survey here. The timeline to take the survey has been extended to April 15. ____________________________________________________________________ Happy Easter to all who celebrate!  ____________________________________________________________________ Stay in TouchIt is easy to stay connected to news from the State Capitol. 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. Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so call (651) 296-5363 or email any time at rep.peter.fischer@house.mn.gov. You can find my information on my House website. You can also like my Facebook page. Sincerely, Peter Fischer |