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I'm sure we?re all incredibly thankful to finally get to take a deep breath of fresh, spring air. While I haven?t gotten to spend too much time outside enjoying it yet due to late nights at the Capitol, I have gotten to step out for a food-truck lunch to catch some sunshine!
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Last night, the House passed the Democracy for the People Act. The bill will protect and strengthen the freedom to vote, reduce the influence of dark money and corporations in our politics, and ensure our democracy is fair, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of Minnesotans across the state. ?
Minnesotans expect our elections to be free, fair, and safe. We cannot take the strength of our democracy for granted ? we must take action to defend and protect it. Simply put, when Minnesotans? ability to vote is suppressed, it's a threat on our democracy. This is a strong package of legislation that will ensure our elections are accessible, safe, and decided by Minnesotans.?
I am a proud co-author and supporter of the bill. Thank you to my colleague and Vice Chair of the Elections Committee, Emma Greenman, for carrying this bill. ?
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Alongside the landmark voting rights bill we passed last night, the House also voted for my bill for Metropolitan Council Redistricting. This is something the legislature is required to do every 10 years, and affects the 7-county metro area, meaning your district may have changed. I?ll be sure to pass along resources to check your address as they become available. ?
On Wednesday, the House passed the largest investment in higher education in nearly four decades. Whether it?s a tuition freeze across the Minnesota State system, addressing the U of M?s tuition shortfall, investing in our tribal colleges, or ensuring today?s students are prepared for tomorrow?s jobs, our Higher Education budget is a crucial component in making Minnesota an Education State. ?
We also passed legislation investing over $820 million to continue the important work of restoring, enhancing, and protecting Minnesota?s most treasured spaces and places and increasing access for all. With investments in our outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage, this bill will help us address water contamination by PFAS, restore prairies, forests, wetlands and more, as well as and enhance our parks and trails throughout the state. We are also making strides to support BIPOC, LGBTQ, and smaller organizations who have historically been left out of Legacy funds. I was proud to support this bill.?
April 11-17 is Black Maternal Health Week. Black Maternal Health Week, originated by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, was created to raise awareness of diminished maternal health outcomes in America, especially among Black women. In the U.S., maternal mortality rates have steadily increased since the 1990s with a sharp 64 percent rise between 2019 and 2021, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ?
Minnesotans deserve so much better. My colleagues in the Black Maternal Health Caucus are working on great legislation to close critical access gaps and improve outcomes for Black mothers and babies. I can?t wait to support their work when it heads to the Floor. ?
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To stay up to date with our important work at the State Capitol, you can see the Minnesota House of Public Information Services? nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication.?
You can also stay up-to-date with the latest by following my Facebook page.?
To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at [email protected] or 651-296-4176, and I will be happy to help. If you were forwarded this email and you?d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe.?
It is an honor to continue to serve you.??
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