Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Here is an update from the Capitol.
Budget Targets
This week, the House unveiled their budget targets and adjustments which committees will use to craft supplemental omnibus legislation this session. It’s important to remember that state government is fully funded for the remainder of the biennium, so our focus is on commonsense needs that are priorities for Minnesota families and taxpayers.
Key highlights include $30 million for education which focuses on student safety and mental health, $107 million for federal tax conformity and providing meaningful tax relief to Minnesota taxpayers, $101 million for our roads and bridges, and a $7 million decrease in state government spending through efficiencies.
HHS Finance Bill Hearings
This week, the Health and Human Services Finance Committee heard two important bills that I am working on.
The first is the Vivian Act, which promotes education, awareness and early detection of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus that affects around one in every 150 babies born each year and is the most common congenital viral infection in the United States, according to the National CMV Foundation. My legislation makes evidence-based information available to health care practitioners and expectant mothers, and recommends doctors consider testing babies who do not pass the newborn hearing screening which is a common early indicator of CMV.
The bill is named for Vivian Henrikson, a three-year old born with congenital CMV who developed cerebral palsy and deafness. I want to ensure that families and health practitioners have evidence-based information available to them, which can help ensure better outcomes for Minnesota kids.
The second bill heard in committee this week is my legislation to appropriate funding to Crisis Connection, a voice response mental health crisis service. Suicide and mental health are serious issues in our state, and I want to ensure there are services available for those in crisis.
At the Capitol
Students from St. Catherine’s for MN Private College Day
Meeting with Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry and Chief Deputy Brian Mueller to discuss issues impacting our county
With a group of exchange students from Germany who are staying with Woodbury families. I hope they enjoyed their visit to the Capitol!
With Olympic Gold Medalist Jessie Diggins!
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As always, if you have ideas about what you would like to see happen this session or need assistance on a matter of state government, I welcome you to contact me. Please don’t hesitate to call (651-296-1147), email (rep.kelly.fenton@house.mn) or stop by my office.
Sincerely,
Kelly
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