Neighbors,
It’s hard to believe, but we’re less than two months from the end of the legislative session. Here’s an update on our progress at the Capitol.
State of the State Address
Each year, the Governor gives a State of the State address to the House and the Senate. In his first address, Governor Walz laid out a vision for our state that works for everyone by using real stories about the struggles and strengths of Minnesotans. It was a great moment to reflect on why we’re here. What matters is not the partisan bickering and winning or losing. We're here to serve the families who deserve equal access to a great education, well-paying jobs, affordable health care, and safe roads.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Native American women and girls have been murdered or gone missing across the nation in heartbreaking numbers for generations. Indigenous women are murdered at a rate 10 times higher than other ethnicities.
This fact was brought home recently by the death of Amber Hopkins – a pregnant native woman who was recently found murdered in Minneapolis. She had been missing since January. A story like this is so heartbreaking I have high hopes that my HF70 bill to stop this endemic – creating a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Task Force – will not be used as a bargaining chip as we move closer to the end of our Session.
Minnesota’s agencies are ready to tackle this historic trauma as members of this task force. I’m optimistic that legislators will acknowledge the necessity to address this national problem and pass this bill and send it to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
On Wednesday, I spoke at the Senate’s first hearing on the bill, and the Star Tribune wrote a supportive editorial.
Testifiers and survivors after the Senate hearing this week.
Driver’s Licenses for All
Today, the Minnesota House finally debated and passed a bill to ensure equality and safety on our roads. No one should fear separation from their families for something as simple as driving to work or to the doctor. It was long the law that you didn’t need to show proof of citizenship to get a driver’s license, until then-Gov. Tim Pawlenty changed the rule in 2003. HF 1500 would make sure that no one is excluded from getting a license (or insurance) – this will increase insured drivers on the road and allow more Minnesotans to live safe, productive lives. I was glad to see support from law enforcement, the business community, labor unions, people of faith and community groups.
Minnesota Values Budget
The House DFL budget will strengthen communities across the state through investments to improve education opportunities, support our families, and increase economic prosperity. This week, House committees began announcing the budget’s major components. Here’s an overview of some of the proposals introduced so far:
- The Health and Human Services Committee announced a proposal to lower the cost of health care, address the rising cost of prescription drug prices, increase the quality of coverage, and give patients and their doctors more power over their care.
- The Early Childhood Committee announced a bill that would make permanent the School Readiness Plus program – preserving access to preschool for 4,000 children; increase investment in early learning scholarships, with a focus on birth to age three; and prevent suspension and expulsion of children from preschool programs.
- The Higher Education Committee announced a budget to reduce student debt and freeze tuition at Minnesota’s colleges and universities.
- The Transportation Committee announced a bill that prioritizes better access to transit for Minnesotans who need to get to work, school, the doctor’s office, and engage in civic life. It will also fund investments for our roads and bridges. The American Society of Civil Engineers rated Minnesota’s roads as “D+” on their most recent infrastructure report card. Bridges received a “C” and transit was awarded a “C-.” Because of this, the average Minnesotan loses an average of $1,000 each year due to car repairs and lost time. Unless we make these investments, it will only get worse.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and please stay in touch!
Sincerely,
Mary KP
|