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*April 26, 2024
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope everyone who celebrates had a wonderful Passover this week!?? Due to the Passover Recess, we were only in session Wednesday-Friday this week, but we are gearing up for a three-week marathon as we enter the ?home stretch? of the 2024 Session.







Executive Summary

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Several Bipartisan Bills Pass the House

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Senator Mitchell Update

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"Palace for Politicians" Building Update






Bipartisan Bills Passed Wednesday Night

I'm happy to report that the House passed several bills with strong bipartisan support on Wednesday night! The bills address a range of ?smaller? issues that don?t make the headlines but that will have significant impact on Minnesotans.?

*I want to highlight them as they are good examples of the bipartisan work that often happens but is rarely covered by the media.*? Despite sharp differences on major policy issues, there are still a number of things we work together on to move forward for the state.? Read more about the bills below:

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*1. Enhancing Workers' Compensation (HF 4661 [ [link removed] ])*: This bill makes several technical and policy changes to workers' compensation statutes to ensure better support and fairness for hardworking Minnesotans. These updates include streamlined claims processes and improved benefit structures, and the bill was approved unanimously.

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*2. Strengthening Cooperative Housing (HF 3800 [ [link removed] ])*: This bill clarifies and codifies existing statutes on cooperative housing, promoting growth and stability in this essential housing sector. This is a technical bill that has broad support from stakeholders. The author noted that additional changes will still be forthcoming in the Conference Committee process, which I have some process concerns about, although I support the goals of the bill.?

*If the language can?t be amended to the author?s satisfaction by the time it leaves the House Floor, I think it is being unduly rushed.*? We saw so many mistakes made last year as dozens of bills were pushed through without proper vetting, that this year has been dubbed the ?Fix-It Session.?? This is not good policymaking and does not serve the people of Minnesota well, as they are forced to comply with laws that everyone knows are not ?right? and it creates enormous uncertainty for businesses, employees, housing providers, and others.??

*Minnesotans should be able to rely on the laws we create ? not have to wait for ?fix-it session? to get a whole new set of directives or regulations.*? I voted ?no? on this version and will hope to support the final bill that emerges from the Conference Committee.

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*3. **Refining Parenting Time Laws (HF 3204 [ [link removed] ])*: This bill aims to streamline the laws regarding parenting time. The adjustments are aimed at ensuring that children benefit from meaningful relationships with both parents after a divorce, as long as it is in the best interests of the child.?

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*4. Reforming Spousal Maintenance (HF 2895 [ [link removed] ])*: This bill reforms spousal maintenance laws to provide more predictable outcomes. This bill was crafted with input from legal experts and community feedback, aiming to protect the financial stability of individuals post-divorce while ensuring fair treatment for both parties.

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*5. **Reporting Required for Veterans Given Diversion (HF 3304 [ [link removed] ])*: This bill requires comprehensive reporting on the effectiveness of diversion programs for veterans as it relates to the Veterans Restorative Justice Act passed last year. This ensures accountability and helps us tailor these programs to better meet the needs of our veterans while being able to accurately measure the program's effectiveness and outcomes.






Update on Senator Mitchell

As you may have heard, legislative business has largely come to a halt after Senator Nicole Mitchell was arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary [ [link removed] ].

*This situation has significantly complicated the end of the legislative session with Senator Mitchell being the deciding vote in a one-seat majority in the Senate.* As of today, Senator Mitchell has not yet returned to the Capitol and she did not vote during Wednesday or Thursday?s Senate Floor sessions.? ?A motion to expedite an ethics committee hearing into Senator Mitchell's conduct failed on a party-line vote [ [link removed] ], 33-33.

The Senate Republican Minority Leader Mark Johnson issued a statement calling on Senator Mitchell to resign, which I support.? *I also support the expedited ethics investigation, as her conduct has clearly breached Senate rules* *which stipulate that* ?Members shall adhere to the highest standard of ethical conduct?? Senate Rules go on to state that ?improper conduct includes conduct that [?] betrays the public trust, or that tends to bring the Senate into dishonor or disrepute.?

My personal view is that Sen. Mitchell is unable to fulfill her duties to her constituents while she goes through a felony legal proceeding.*? For the sake of her health and her family, as well as her constituents and the institution of the Senate, she should step down so a new election can be held this year and someone else can finish out her term, which doesn?t expire until 2026.?? *

I also think she should not be allowed to cast the deciding vote on legislation during the last three weeks of session, particularly on a number of controversial bills, including crime and public safety bills that are coming through.?

*My hope is that Leadership will realize the seriousness of these felony charges and work with the Minority to only pass bills that have strong bipartisan support for the remainder of the session. *That would ensure an orderly end to session and passage of important bills, such as bonding, funding for EMS services, and a few other key ?fix-it? bills.






State Office Building Update

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The Palace for Politicians took a big step forward this week - a big blue crane was put up and it appears they are building an elevator shaft.?? *We also had two incidents of our building being filled with diesel exhaust, which caused some of our staff to become ill.* ?This is causing work to be shifted and the addition of air quality monitors and carbon filters to our air intake system.

In addition*, an archeological team has found some ?artifacts? in the dig and it has slowed work.*? All of the changes will require ?change orders? but it is unclear who has the authority to approve the change orders or the costs associated with them.

See my questions regarding this from today?s Rules Committee hearing HERE [ [link removed] ].







Photos of the Week

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Honored to speak to the Minnesota Federation of Republican Women on their Day at the Capitol! So thankful for all of chapters of engaged women around the state, but particularly my home chapter, the NW Metro Republican Women! Thanks to all of you for coming and for all you do in our communities!






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A lot of bipartisan good cheer at the Capitol today! Members working together to get MN seedlings ready for Arbor Day distribution on the floor AND everyone out enjoying Steak on a Stick on a sunny day for lunch, thanks to the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association!



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House Page from Wayzata High School Alex Ragognetti






Please Contact Me

Many of you have already been in touch to discuss your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Thank you for sharing your ideas! Please continue to contact me to discuss any matters to which I can be of assistance.

The best way to reach me is by email:[email protected]. For occasional updates, you can follow my Facebook Page at @RepKristinRobbins. You can also leave a voicemail on my office number, 651-296-7806, which is checked every weekday while we are in session.

Of course, if you are coming to the Capitol, I?d love to meet you! Please reach out if you would like to set-up an in-person meeting.?

Have a great weekend!

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Kristin











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