As we enter the final stretch of the 2024 legislative session, I'm proud of the progress we've made together toward building a stronger Minnesota for working families. We're committed to securing fair wages, strengthening consumer and child protections, affordable healthcare, housing stability and investments that empower our communities.
There is still a great deal of work ahead of us, but together, we have a significant responsibility to empower Minnesotans with the resources they need to thrive. I'm committed to working tirelessly alongside my colleagues to deliver these important results.
Keeping you informed: Here are some recent developments from the capitol.
Join your SD 43 lawmakers for an upcoming Town Hall meeting on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Crystal Community Center. We will discuss the historic 2023 legislative session and inform residents about the progress of the 2024 session, receive feedback, and field questions from constituents.
This is a great opportunity to hear about what's happening in our district and share your questions and concerns.
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Location: Crystal Community Center, Forest Room, 4800 Douglas Drive North Crystal, MN 55429
No registration required. I'm excited to have a productive discussion and hear your thoughts and concerns. We'll see you there!
The Minnesota House of Representatives passed SF3492/HF359 on a vote of 68-61. The 2024 Tenants’ Rights Policy Bill includes provisions to safeguard tenants’ right to organize, protect tenant survivors of domestic violence, clarify tenants’ rights to emergency services, prohibit rental discrimination based on public assistance, and more.
I was proud to vote in favor of legislation that empowers renters and strengthens tenant rights. Every Minnesotan deserves to feel safe and secure in their home. This bill ensures they can voice concerns about dignified living conditions without fear of retaliation.
Residential Shared Utility Metering
Last week, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed SF 4579/HF 4558 on a bipartisan 82-44 vote. The bill changes and replaces the law on shared-meter utility billing for residential rental units. It provides rights to tenants, including applying the cold weather rule to shared-meter utility billing, and provides for resolution by the Public Utilities Commission when tenants and landlords cannot reach an agreement in a dispute.
Minnesota has strong ratepayer protections to ensure that individuals aren’t forced into a tragic situation if they have trouble paying their utility bills. However, there are loopholes in these protections for people who live in multifamily homes and do not pay for the utility directly. In situations where different units share a meter, the protections only apply to a landlord, not the person living in the property. This gives some landlords the ability to evict a tenant without any of the normal housing and ratepayer protections in law.
Last year, DFLers legalized adult-use cannabis, along with the possession and growing of cannabis plants for personal, recreational use. However, buying cannabis legally at a licensed retail business in the state is not set to begin until early next year. The Cannabis Policy bill we passed is meant to expedite the process of setting up a good, legitimate marketplace for cannabis to displace that illicit marketplace that’s in place currently. You can read more about what the bill contains here.
We worked to pass the Commerce Policy Bill which focuses on consumer and child protections, debt reform, net neutrality, and more. The Commerce Policy Bill codifies previous Federal Communications Commission net neutrality rules into law. To achieve net neutrality, the bill establishes a set of parameters that internet service providers must follow to do business in Minnesota. Provisions in this bill also requires health plans providing coverage for physical or mental health services to provide coverage for gender-affirming care as well and requires that health plans consider gender-affirming care as medically necessary as long as it meets professional standards, guidelines, or medical practices.
Join us for a FREE fun community Bike Rodeo this Thursday, May 2nd from 6-8 PM at Lakeview Terrace Park in Robbinsdale!
I believe bike riding offers incredible fun, freedom, and exercise! That's why I'm passionate about getting kids and families on their bikes as much as possible, all while making sure they stay safe. At the Bike Rodeo, riders will have the opportunity to get their helmet properly fitted, navigate their bikes through a safety skills course, and get their bike checked for safety. Police and fire personnel will be in attendance to oversee these activities. Participants can also be entered into a door prize drawing to win a new bike!
Location: Lakeview Terrace Park, 3769 Crystal Lake Blvd, Robbinsdale
Sponsored by: The cities of Golden Valley, Crystal, New Hope, and Robbinsdale. More information on the event can be found here.
Please continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at [email protected] or 651-296-4255. You can also follow my official Facebook page and the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus page.
Minnesota House of Representatives
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