Special Session Update- June 24, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

Last week, the Legislature gaveled in for a special session to wrap up work on a new two-year state budget. We’re working hard to deliver a budget that helps all Minnesotans recover from the difficulties of the past year and have the opportunity for long-term success. So far, we’ve passed bipartisan compromise budget legislation for: commerce, climate & energy; higher education; agriculture; clean water, outdoors, arts, and cultural heritage projects funded through the Legacy Amendment; and transportation.

As a member of the House negotiating team for higher education, much of my work has been focused on enacting a compromise budget that ensures our students can recover from the pandemic’s impact, and that our public colleges and post-secondary skills programs are accessible to all who are interested in advancing their education or career. Serving on the only all women conference committee, we were the first working group to complete our budget work for Minnesotans.

It was an honor to serve on the only all-women conference committee in the Minnesota Legislature.

A couple highlights include:

??Funding for the Office of Higher Education (OHE), the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MinnState), the University of Minnesota campuses, and the Mayo Clinic Medical School

??New investments into the State Grant program that will impact more than 75,000 students

??A new Direct Admissions Minnesota pilot program, which will focus on removing barriers for low-income and students of color entering college by increasing enrollment opportunities.

Transportation Budget Advances

Yesterday, the House advanced the transportation budget, which invests in our transportation infrastructure across the state by funding improvements for road safety, transit development and services, bridge replacements, freight and passenger rail projects, as well as active transportation modes, like pedestrian walkways and bike trails. The compromise transportation budget notably invests $57.5 million in arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). With the advocacy of our Plymouth neighbors, I was able to secure the funding for a transit study along Highway 55 from Medina to downtown Minneapolis including options for highway BRT. This is a good first step forward in creating a more equitable and robust transportation system for our community. The bill also significantly includes funding I've been working on via legislation for the Ignition Interlock Program expansion enhancing public safety through drunk driver prevention.  

Plymouth Creek Center Construction Underway!

I was honored to join city leaders in Plymouth recently to tour the current construction underway at Plymouth Creek Center. Thank you to the community advocates that joined me for committee hearings and site tours to help secure the critical funding for this project.

Updates to Plymouth’s Fire Stations 2 and 3

Project improvements are also underway at Plymouth’s Fire Stations 2 and 3. Our first responders are always there for us, which is why I’m working hard to bring much needed support to our firefighters and Plymouth community.

Staying Safe in the Water

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. 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. I’d like to thank the City of Plymouth for their great work in promoting water safety in a fun way during the Kites Over the Beach on June 11.

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.ginny.klevorn@house.mn or 651-296-5511 with questions or ideas. Your input helps drive my work for our Plymouth community! I appreciate hearing from you.

Thank you for the honor of lifting our voices and values in St. Paul.

Be well,

Ginny Klevorn

State Representative