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Final Days of the 2024 Session

Dear Neighbors,

We are in the final few days of the 2024 Legislative Session, and I have been working hard to deliver results for our communities and pass legislation that improves Minnesotans? lives. We will be meeting throughout the weekend up to our May 20 deadline, and I will update you on the final status of bills as they head to the Governor?s desk.

Smith

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Supplemental Budget Bills

We?ve now passed all our major supplemental budgets. You can read these nonpartisan summaries of our work on K-12 Education [ [link removed] ], Children & Families [ [link removed] ], Transportation, Labor, and Housing [ [link removed] ], Higher Education [ [link removed] ], Judiciary and Public Safety [ [link removed] ], State and Local Government and Veterans [ [link removed] ], Elections [ [link removed] ], Human Services [ [link removed] ], Workforce and Economic Development [ [link removed] ], Environment and Natural Resources [ [link removed] ], Agriculture, Commerce, and Energy [ [link removed] ], Health [ [link removed] ], and Taxes [ [link removed] ].

These are all great bills, but as a member of the Taxes [ [link removed] ], Health [ [link removed] ], and Economic Development [ [link removed] ], I?m especially proud of our efforts there. I am continuing to advocate for my provision [ [link removed] ] in our Health bill that would set requirements for notice and public hearings before a hospital closes, reduces, or ends certain services.

As we continue to pass our remaining House proposals, House and Senate members are currently meeting in conference committees to craft consensus legislation for where we differ in these issue areas. These conference committee meetings, and passing these final bills, will likely take up our remaining days of the legislative session.?More updates to come!

House Floor

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Other House Priorities

House DFLers are also moving forward on several other important pieces of legislation. We?re working on legislation that puts tougher penalties on straw purchases for firearms and banning binary triggers, [ [link removed] ] updating our adult-use cannabis legalization [ [link removed] ] legislation to prepare for a safe, well-regulated legal market, the African American Family Preservation Act [ [link removed] ], a great tenants rights package [ [link removed] ], and a bill supporting emergency medical services [ [link removed] ], especially in rural areas.

As Speaker Hortman said in response to an eight-hour Republican filibuster on Wednesday, ?Minnesotans sent us here to deliver results and build a state that works better for everyone. The Rules of the Minnesota House of Representatives protect both the minority's right to be heard and the majority's right and responsibility to govern. We will continue to give the minority ample time to discuss measures on the floor, but ultimately, we will complete the work of the session?

I couldn?t agree more, and I am thankful for the Speaker?s leadership as we move forward with our 2024 budget bills and legislation that protects Minnesotans? equal rights.

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Statehood Day ? New Flag and Seal

In other news*, *last Saturday Minnesota celebrated 166 years of statehood. The Minnesota State Flag and Seal approved by the State Emblems Redesign Commission early this year are now officially in place! [ [link removed] ] This is a culmination of months gathering input from and engaging with Minnesotans to find consensus on a flag and seal that represents the best of all of us.?

flag and seal
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Stay Connected!

*Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won?t reach my email account.?*To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out [email protected]?or 651-296-9249, and I will be happy to help. If you were forwarded this email and you?d like to subscribe, click here [ [link removed] ]. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe!

Warmly,?

Andy Smith,
State Representative






Representative Andy Smith

411 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

Phone: 651-296-9249
Email:[email protected] "(replies to this newsletter are not monitored)"
Website:?[link removed]
Legislative Assistant: Robin Schmidt, 651-296-8197







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