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Neighbors,
Over the past week, the DFL-led Minnesota House has approved major components of our state budget, carefully going over each and every provision to make sure it improves the lives of Minnesotans and makes our state a better place to live. The budgets allow for great schools, affordable health care, and safe and inclusive communities. Here's an overview.
Health Care
We approved the Health and Human Services budget late Thursday night. Health care costs and accessibility is something that has been on the top of the minds of so many people in our community. This budget strengthens health care for all Minnesotans by lowering the cost of care, making drug prices more affordable by holding Big Pharma accountable, addressing health disparities, improving health care for women, and expanding coverage options for Minnesotans.
As we debate the Health and Human Services Bill, it was wonderful to visit with nurses who will be directly impacted by provisions in the bill. Nurses are working to ensure not only high quality care for patients but also protection for nurses as well.
The House DFL’s HHS budget addresses our state’s unacceptable health disparities. It increases funding for the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) for the first time in 33 years. It invests in cultural competency for mental health services, increases funding for child protection in our tribal communities, and includes grants to improve child development outcomes for children of color and American Indian children.
Connected with advocates at the Capitol working hard to bring visibility to outrageous drug prices. Profits should not come over people. Thank you Take Action, SIEU, Minnesota Nurses Association and all the organizers for your persistence on this issue.
Women’s health is strengthened through increases in family planning access, greater access to birth control, coverage for breast cancer screenings, sexual assault prevention grants, and doula services for Minnesotans with low incomes.
Taxes
Minnesotans deserve a tax system that's fair and provides the resources our state needs to succeed. The House DFL tax bill gets us there by leveling the playing field for working families, farmers, senior citizens, and small businesses by holding corporations accountable for using tax loopholes and offshore tax havens to get out of paying their share, while pocketing record profits. WCCO has coverage of House Democrats’ tax bill here.
Agriculture and Housing Budget
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Minnesotans value the hard work that farmers do to feed the citizens of our state and our world, and our agriculture budget makes important investments to support our farmers and our agriculture economy.
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.
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Transportation
Last night we approved a transportation budget that makes responsible investments to fix our state's roads, bridges, and transit. 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-.”
The House DFL Majority’s transportation budget prioritizes better access to transit for Minnesotans who need to get to work, school, and to just live their lives.
Public Safety
Finally, we passed a public safety and judiciary budget last night. The budget includes two significant measures to prevent gun violence in Minnesota. One would require criminal background checks to be performed prior to all gun sales and another would provide for Extreme Risk Protection Orders, allowing law enforcement to restrict access to firearms if a court determines a person may be a threat to themselves or others.
Who stays late into the night at the State Capitol advocating for gun violence prevention? Protect Minnesota and Mom’s Demand Action of course. Thank you for dedicating a long day and an even longer night to fight for protection of people and safety.
After listening to Minnesotans, House DFLers are advancing the conversation about cannabis. A Cannabis Task Force established in the budget would be charged with studying how the potential legal, personal use of cannabis would work in Minnesota regarding public safety, public health, tax policy, and regulatory oversight.
Over the weekend I spent time with leaders of ISAIAH MN. Together, we will move forward towards a multiracial democracy and a caring economy for all Minnesotans.
Today, we'll be taking up higher education, state government, and environment bills. Feel free to follow along, here.
The days are long now, but I never forget how grateful I am that the people of 64A put their trust in me to make our community the best it can possibly be. Have a great rest of your week!
Sincerely,
Kaohly Her
State Representative - District 64A |