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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL)

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Legislative Update - May 3, 2019

Friday, May 3, 2019
 
Neighbors,

After several marathon floor sessions, we've approved each piece of our Minnesota Values Budget! Here's an overview of what we worked on this week. 
 

Public Safety 
We passed a public safety budget to allow for gun safety, cash bail reform, cannabis reform, and pathways beyond incarceration. This is the first step toward a public safety approach centered in not just accountability and punishment, but prevention and pathways to rehabilitation. 


Other states are enacting gun violence prevention legislation. Minnesotans are asking us to do the same. Criminal background checks and extreme risk protection orders are common sense laws that will save lives.

Environment
Our environment budget funds innovative research that would aid conservation efforts and protect the environment and wildlife for future generations. We address emerald ash borer, chronic wasting disease, and aquatic invasive species to protect the health and well being of our communities and the environment. 

It includes a provision, which I worked on, to make permanent the restoration of Lake Bde Maka Ska's name. We need to acknowledge and remember that this was indigenous land and it still is indigenous land and that by renaming this lake to Bde Maka Ska we are acknowledging the existence and the value of our indigenous communities.

Our plan will enhance soil health statewide and plant nearly a million trees each year. The budget also strengthens protections for Minnesota's fish and wildlife. It increases support for pollinators by establishing a program to help homeowners who want to convert their lawns to pollinator-friendly habitat. 

Housing
All Minnesotans deserve access to safe and affordable housing. A place to call home is essential for students to focus and succeed in school, for parents to maintain reliable employment, and working families to be economically secure. House DFLers are committed to providing affordable, safe housing.

The Housing components of the Minnesota House DFL budget increase investments to address homelessness, build more workforce housing, and provide financial empowerment and training to help low-income renters achieve homeownership.

Higher Education
We passed a higher education budget to freeze tuition at all of Minnesota's universities. All Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to get a quality higher education, and the training needed to get a good-paying job. Investing in higher education means investing in Minnesotans and the future of our state.
 

Elections
We passed an elections budget which will help sure that every voice is heard in elections. The bill includes measures to make it easier to vote, appropriates the full $6.6 million in Federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding to secure Minnesota’s elections, includes automatic voter registration, free public transportation on election day, and measures to ensure a full and complete Census. 
 
As always, it is an honor to serve you at the Capitol. Please reach out with questions, I'd love to hear from you!
 
Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Mary KP