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Hollins header

Dear Neighbors,??

POCI Caucus

The 2023 legislative session was a success for Minnesotans. DFLers were able to pass hundreds of important bills, including a bill to expand access to healthcare, a bill to invest in education, and a bill to protect the environment. Democrats also made progress on a number of other issues, including gun violence prevention, restoring voting rights to 55,000 Minnesotans, and criminal justice reform.?

One of the most significant accomplishments of the session was the passage of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, a bill to give workers access to paid leave to bond with their new babies, their own medical condition, to care for a family member or another emergency event. Gov. Walz signed the PFMLA into law and it will provide most Minnesota workers the ability to take 12 weeks of paid family leave. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will administer the program in conjunction with its Unemployment Insurance (UI).???? ?

We also made historic investments in education during the session. The party passed a bill to increase funding for public schools by $1 billion over the next two years. The bill will also provide funding for early childhood education and for after-school programs.?

In addition to investing in education, Democrats also took action to protect the environment. The party passed legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2040. The bill will also invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency by streamlining the process for solar energy generating systems and certain high-voltage transmission lines and authorizes the commission to require payment of the state prevailing wage to workers constructing large wind and solar energy systems.?

To ensure that more Minnesotans are safe or receive justice, Minnesota created a community-based response to address this crisis that is cold cases of missing or murdered Black women by establishing the first Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Office. The provisions in this law will ensure the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension operate an alert program and requires the issuance of an alert when a person is determined to be missing and endangered. Black women and girls' lives matter, they are worthy of protection, and families and communities deserve closure and justice for their loved ones.

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*My Highlights*?

During this session several of the bills I sponsored to support our community passed into law. A short highlight is below.?

*Conversion ?Therapy? Ban*?

Governor Walz signing the Conversion ?Therapy? Ban into law was a monumental step toward a more inclusive future for all Minnesotans. Conversion therapy is a harmful and ineffective practice shown to cause lasting psychological damage to LGBTQIA+ people.? These methods are not only ineffective, but they can also be extremely traumatic and lead to depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Banning this barbaric practice means we are saving more lives and accepting all Minnesotans no matter who they love.??

*Limits to No Knock Warrants*?

I was devastated when Amir lost his life to police violence. When I carried the No-Knock Warrant legislation, I fought with all my heart to bring justice to Amir Locke and his family. We didn?t get the bill passed then but now we have the chance to rectify the harm. Amir?s parents no longer have to come to the Legislature to humanize their son during testimonies. I want to thank Rep. Brion Curran for leading this bill to the finish line this year.???

*Climate Justice*?

It was an honor working on the Climate and Energy Finance Policy Committee. The 2023 Environment, Natural Resources, Climate, and Energy Budget Bill, passed on a vote of 72-57. The climate and energy provisions of the legislation invest nearly $250 million in new funding to lower energy costs, create more clean energy jobs, and address and combat climate change. Minnesota is one of the fastest-warming states due to climate change, and this bill puts Minnesota on the path to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.??

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*Queer Caucus Achievements?*??

The Minnesota House Queer Caucus was an undeniable force throughout the legislative session. The Queer Caucus led efforts to advance equity and create policies to ensure Minnesota became a refuge state for our LGBTQIA2S+, trans, and nonbinary community. Minnesota is a leader in LGBTQIA2S+ rights and with the strong leadership of the Queer Caucus our state will continue to protect LGBTQIA2S+ people from discrimination and violence.?????

We passed several of our priority bills:?


* Trans Refuge Bill???
* School Facilities??
* Securing investment for HIV treatments, resources, and services???
* Take Pride Act??
* LGBTQ2S+ Council?????

Follow the link to see our press release and the Minnesota House Queer Caucus 2023 Legislative Achievements one-pager [ [link removed] ].???

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*Upcoming Town Hall *?

I wanted to remind you as well about a District 66 Town Hall coming up on Saturday, June 3 from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Registration is required. Here is the link [ [link removed] ]. I hope you can make it. ?

c

*Keep in Touch*?

Even though it?s the interim, please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so call or email any time at [email protected] or 651-296-4224. You can also follow my official Facebook page [ [link removed] ].??

It?s has been an honor to represent our community in the Minnesota House.??

In community,?

Rep. Athena Hollins?

Minnesota House of Representatives?

*Legislative Assistant:*?

Abdullahi Abdullahi?

[email protected]?

651-296-5355?








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