Next Steps at the Legislature

Dear Neighbors,

Our work continues in the Legislature. We have reached agreement on bipartisan ‘targets’ or the framework in each major area of the budget that prioritizes students, families, workers, and small businesses. After a year of unprecedented challenges, and with federal COVID relief funding having arrived, we have the resources to help the Minnesotans who have sacrificed and suffered the most while investing in a state that works better for everyone.

In the coming weeks, legislators in the House and Senate serving on conference committees will continue as working groups to negotiate details of the budget agreements with the opportunity for the public to weigh in.

Next Steps

The House and Senate will continue to work until we are called in for a special session by Governor Walz, which could be as soon as early June. Stay tuned for more information.

Yesterday the House passed compromise policy language in the areas of Agriculture, State Government Finance, Veterans and Military Affairs Finance, and Elections, and Health and Human Services. We also passed important legislation that improves mental health access and increases clean energy opportunities in Minnesota.

Minnesota will join a PYSPACT

The House approved legislation on a vote of 133-0 that would allow Minnesota to join PSYPACT, an interstate compact under which licensed psychologists may practice telepsychology and conduct temporary in-person psychology across state boundaries. The compact became operational in 2019 when a seventh state enacted it. Right now, 20 states have enacted the compact, additional states are joining soon, and there is pending legislation to do so in others. At a time when mental health support is needed now more than ever, passage of this measure will help address psychologist shortages and get Minnesotans the care they need.

ECO Act

The Minnesota House of Representatives approved the House/Senate Conference Committee Report with my support to improve energy efficiency and cost savings opportunities across the state.

The Energy Conservation and Optimization Act of 2021 updates the conservation and improvement program (CIP) statutes providing utilities with flexibility to meet energy savings goals instead of conservation spending goals. The new focus on outcomes, instead of spending, will allow utilities to pursue more effective energy savings opportunities.

Some of the changes to CIP under the bill include allowing utilities to improve service by implementing efficient fuel switching and load management within CIP, establishing separate sections in statutes for investor-owned utilities (Xcel, Minnesota Power, Great River Energy, CenterPoint, and others) and customer-owned utilities (municipal and cooperative-owned) that better reflect their needs. The bill also expands opportunities for low-income households to benefit from energy-efficient improvements.

Summer Learning Investments

The Governor and LT. Governor announced today they will utilize and allocate $75 million from the American Rescue Plan dollars to fund summer school opportunities for Minnesota students to help them catch up academically and emotionally. This is a critical investment in our kids and our families and I applaud the Walz Administration for prioritizing Minnesota students.

National EMS Week

May 16-22, 2021 is the 46th annual National EMS Week! President Gerald Ford began this tradition in 1974. First responders have remained unwavering and it's such a relief to know we can always count on them, even during a global pandemic. Thank you for caring for our communities!

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime with questions or input at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn or 651-296-9889. Remote operations in the House continue, so email is the quickest way to reach me. Thank you for the honor of serving our Hopkins and St. Louis Park neighbors at the State Capitol.

Have a nice week.

Be well,

Cheryl Youakim

State Representative