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Dear Neighbors,

The 2023 Legislative Session has come to a close, and I want to provide a quick update on our final bills which passed off the floor last week. These policies like Paid Family and Medical Leave, transformative education funding, and increasing the child tax credit to support Minnesotans across the state.?

Here?s an update from Saint Paul.

House Passes Package to Assist Veterans

The conference committee report for the Veterans and Military Affairs Budget Bill was approved unanimously. This bill shows our dedication to the Minnesota Veterans who have served their country bravely, providing them with job training, services, and psychological and physical care as they transition into civilian life. Along with funding the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Military Affairs operations, this bill also introduces strategies to provide assistance to Minnesota veterans.

House Passes Largest Housing Investment in History

The House gave approval to the conference committee report for the state?s Housing Budget, House File 2335. This legislation involves making a huge investment of $1 billion in the state's most significant housing project ever. This move by the legislature will ensure that families in Minnesota who are vulnerable to homelessness can enjoy housing stability. The creation of new homes statewide will also be encouraged, and a chance for homeownership will be offered to several Minnesotans. The right to housing is something every Minnesotan deserves, and I was thrilled to give my "Yes" vote.

House Passes Paid Family and 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 impossible choices between earning 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 has passed bills to establish a Paid Family and Medical Leave program multiple times in recent years under a divided government. We?ve campaigned on this issue for many years, and now we 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 and 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.

Investing in Minnesota?

In 2008, Minnesota?s voters passed the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment because we all want our state to be a great place to live, work, and play. House DFLers passed legislation investing over $820 million to continue the critical 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, the 2023 Legacy Budget Bill will make our state a better place to live for current and future generations, including by expanding free parks days and arts and cultural education programs. In addition, DFLers are expanding opportunities so all communities can access Legacy funding.