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If you can’t make it this week, no worries! For your planning purposes, mark your calendars for our next virtual coffee hour in July on the 10th at 9:00 a.m. Here are those details on how to join:
Time: Jul 10, 2021 09:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96265002306?pwd=ZWFkWUYwQ0lDcVAzL09Xb2d1eUJNZz09
Meeting ID: 962 6500 2306
Passcode: 285763
I’m in the process of planning a future coffee hour in the afternoon to accommodate our neighbors working overnights. Please stay tuned for those details via email and on my Facebook page.
Current Status of Budget Bills
We’ve reached bipartisan compromise on most budget areas and our work continues. Here are the bills we have passed so far:
Higher Education: Makes investments to ensure students can recover from the unprecedented challenges they’ve faced over the past year. It will help ensure our students can 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: 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.
Legacy: 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. This year’s bill includes 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.
Commerce, Energy, and Climate: Invests in projects and research that will help Minnesota transition to clean energy, including solar on schools, and gives students a fighting chance against the worst loan practices by creating a Student Borrowers Bill of Rights. It also tackles the record-high catalytic converter theft problem with a series of reforms to deter theft and keep Minnesotans’ cars intact. You can read about the other components in this area of the budget here.
The Transportation budget is up tomorrow, and we expect to discuss the Housing budget on Thursday. If you’d like to tune in and watch the debate, you may do so here.
Congrats, Regan Smith!
Lakeville swimmer Regan Smith will be competing in the upcoming U.S. summer games in the Tokyo Olympics. Read more about her incredible journey in Minnesota Public Radio’s coverage here. We’ll be rooting for you, Regan!
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime with input or questions at rep.robert.bierman@house.mn or 651-296-5506. I am always happy to provide assistance whenever I can.
Thank you for the honor of serving our Apple Valley and Lakeville neighbors at the State Capitol!
Sincerely,
Robert Bierman
State Representative
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