Dear Neighbors,

At the Capitol, we’re working in special session to wrap up a new-two year state budget. After House DFLers have worked all session to prioritize those who have been impacted the worst by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve reached a bipartisan compromise with Senate Republicans that funds the things that matter to Minnesotans. While we’re still working through the details of some key areas – including health and human services, which I’m deeply involved in – some other budget bills are set for passage on the House Floor. We’re committed to finishing this important work so the resources and services Minnesota families, students, workers, and businesses depend on can continue.

Here’s an update on the areas of the budget that are ready to pass on the House Floor:

Higher Education

Our Higher Education budget makes investments to ensure Minnesota students can recover from the unprecedented challenges they’ve faced over the past year. It will help ensure young people have the ability to thrive as they move forward in the post-pandemic workforce, with key funding for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State systems, as well as an increase to the State Grant program that will positively impact more than 75,000 students.

Agriculture and Broadband

The COVID-19 pandemic has been incredibly challenging for farmers and food producers, which only compounded many other difficulties they’ve experienced in recent years. They deserve tools, support, and resources so they can not only recover from the past year’s difficulties, but succeed well into the future. The compromise Agriculture budget recognizes the value Minnesotans place on clean water, soil, and air, and looks to the future of farming in Minnesota. The budget invests in emerging farmer outreach, urban and youth agriculture, the Farm-to-School initiative, Good Food Access, and funding for environmentally-friendly production practices and conservation techniques.

Commerce, Climate, Energy

As one of the fastest warming states in the country, Minnesota is already experiencing the impacts of climate change. We must take action to protect our health, our environment, our farms, and our infrastructure. The Energy budget invests in a Clean Energy Training Center in North Minneapolis, a new Energy Transition Office, and innovative projects and research that will help Minnesota transition to clean energy. We also secured funding to install solar energy panels on schools, saving school districts money while providing educational opportunities for students. 

The Commerce budget tackles the record-high catalytic converter theft problem with a series of reforms to deter theft and keep Minnesotans’ cars intact. In addition, our budget contains the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights, which gives students a fighting chance against the worst lending practices. 

Legacy

Our Legacy bill invests proceeds from the voter-approved constitutional amendment to protect and enhance Minnesota's outdoor heritage, clean water, arts and cultural heritage, and parks and trails. Since 2010, the Legacy Amendment has generated more than $4 billion for initiatives that benefit people and communities across Minnesota and this legislation builds on that success.

Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, and everyone should be able to enjoy time in the water safely. Unfortunately this season, too many Minnesotans have tragically lost their lives as a result of drowning. Our Legacy bill invests in water safety grants, including funding to provide scholarships to low-income and at-risk children. Here are some tips from the Minnesota DNR so everyone can enjoy the water safely on a boat, at the beach, or in a pool.

MNsure Special Enrollment and New Tax Credits

Many Minnesotans struggle with high health insurance premiums, and here’s some great news for people who purchase their health insurance on the private market. The American Rescue Plan – passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden earlier this year – increased federal tax credits toward health insurance premiums. MNSure, our state health insurance exchange, has updated its system to reflect these changes. As a result, Minnesotans can now shop, compare, and enroll into plans with new cost savings by taking advantage of MNsure’s special enrollment period, which is open until July 16th. 

If you didn’t qualify for a tax credit when you previously shopped around for health insurance, I’d encourage you to take another look now. On another note, earlier this week the U.S. Supreme Court once again upheld the Affordable Care Act. The ACA has been critical in expanding health insurance to more Americans, including those with preexisting conditions, and it’s important for us to build upon this work to make health care more accessible and affordable in Minnesota.

Rental Assistance Available

As part of our bipartisan budget agreement, lawmakers have reached a compromise “off-ramp” for the current eviction moratorium. When COVID-19 arrived, and with the economic turmoil that soon followed, Governor Walz’s action to prevent evictions was a lifesaver for many Minnesotans. It wasn’t just a good practice to ensure people have a place to call home, but was a critical step to protect public health as well. If we suddenly ended the moratorium, thousands of renters could find themselves without a home suddenly, and landlords could be less likely to receive rent owed to them.

The 105-day off-ramp will give time for Minnesotans who owe back rent to secure rental assistance, benefitting both renters and landlords alike. Landlords will be required to send a notice to renters with outstanding rent 15 days prior to eviction. In addition, renters with an outstanding rental assistance claim cannot be evicted and will have that protection until June 1, 2022.

Minnesota will receive $229 million in housing assistance from the American Rescue Plan, which is on top of the $375 million we received from last December’s federal COVID-19 recovery package. If you or someone you know is behind on rent, assistance is available at renthelpmn.org. A Renter Checklist is available to ensure you have all the materials necessary to apply.

Vaccine Rewards

Over three million Minnesotans have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In an effort to get as many people vaccinated as possible, Governor Walz announced the “Your Shot to Summer” initiative with rewards available for those getting a shot between May 27 and June 30. Rewards available include Visa gift cards, Great Lake Aquarium passes, Duluth Huskies tickets, state park passes, fishing licenses, and more.

There are less than two weeks left to take advantage of this opportunity! Learn more and apply for your reward here.

Please continue to stay in touch with your viewpoints, ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. Thank you for the honor to work as your public servant.

Sincerely,

Jen Schultz
State Representative