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Dear Neighbors,

We are entering the last week of the legislative session! We?re hard at work on the priorities of Minnesotans. Currently, the House is meeting with the Senate in conference committees to reconcile the differences between the two versions of the bills, and we?ve been voting on the floor to pass these budget solutions. Personally, I?ve been spending a great deal of time helping negotiate a bonding bill that will bring needed investments to all parts of our state, including right at home in Burnsville and Eagan.

Here?s an update from Saint Paul.

House Passes Paid Family & Medical Leave

Minnesotans believe in caring for one another. Yet the vast majority of Minnesotans don?t have access to paid family & medical leave benefits. This means every day, Minnesotans face the impossible choice between losing a paycheck or caring for a new child, an aging loved one, or themselves.?

No one should be forced to choose between earning a paycheck and taking care of themselves or a family member, and Minnesotans have been telling the Legislature for years that our current system isn?t working well for most people. That?s why the House DFL passed bills to establish a Paid Family and Medical Leave program multiple times in recent years under a divided government. We?ve fought for this issue for many years, and now the DFL trifecta will finally move this priority across the finish line.

This bill will help to make Minnesota the best state in the nation for children and families. In addition, it complements all the other work Democrats are doing to help Minnesotans afford their lives, like investing in affordable housing, providing free school meals, and reducing health care costs.

House Passes Largest Housing Investment in State History

Last week the House approved the conference committee report on House File 2335, the state?s Housing Budget. The legislation makes investments of $1 billion; it?s the state?s most significant housing commitment in our history. With this, the legislature will create housing stability for Minnesota families on the brink of homelessness, spur the production of new homes across the state, and deliver pathways to homeownership for thousands of Minnesotans. Housing is fundamental for all Minnesotans and is a human right; I was proud to vote Yes.

AAPI Heritage Month

As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I want to take a moment to recognize the contributions of this vibrant and diverse community to our nation.?

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made huge advancements and groundbreaking discoveries in every field, from science and medicine to business and the arts. This is a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and to honor the rich and diverse cultures that make up the AAPI community.?

Like many other communities of color, the AAPI community has a vast and rich history that is often not taught in schools. Our House K-12 education budget takes massive steps to change that. The bill provides resources to improve our social studies curriculum in civics, ethnic studies, and genocide. When we ignore history, the worst parts are bound to repeat themselves. This coupled with the Increase Teachers of Color Act, also included in the education bill, will help more of Minnesota?s students see themselves and their identities represented in the classroom ? some for the very first time.??

House Passes Equal Rights Amendment

The Equal Rights Amendment (also known as ERA) is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution guaranteeing equal legal rights for all American citizens, regardless of sex. Minnesota ratified the ERA in 1973, and it has been a long and hard-fought battle to get the ERA ratified. Now it is more important than ever that we continue to fight for this important amendment.

That's why I was proud to vote Thursday for a resolution urging Congress to ratify the ERA. Together, we can make sure that all Americans have the same rights under the law, regardless of their sex.

Keep in Touch

If you have any questions or feedback you?d like to share, you can contact me by email at [email protected] or call (651) 296-4128. Please don?t hesitate to reach out.??

Sincerely,??

Liz Reyer??

State Representative??