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Dear Neighbors,

As your State Representative, I’d like to share an update on the recently completed 2025 legislative session — one that was historic, challenging, and concluded with a balanced state budget for the next two years.

Even with a tie in the House and only a one-seat majority in the Senate, I’m proud of all we achieved this session to make life easier and more affordable for working Minnesotans. Furthermore, we successfully blocked efforts to roll back laws that help to make Minnesota a great place to live, work, and raise a family, including Paid Family and Medical Leave, universal school meals, and reproductive freedom, and nearly every single progressive accomplishment from the 2023-2024 session remains in effect. 

Information about the bills passed during the June 9th special session, including bill language and spreadsheets, can be found here [ [link removed] ]. 

Serving on the House Transportation and Energy committees has given me the opportunity to take a deeper dive into the policy solutions near and dear to our community. Here’s a brief overview of some wins, and disappointments in these areas of the state budget:

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*Minnesota's Energy Leadership Preserved*

While this year's limited energy bill missed some opportunities, Minnesota's existing climate policies remain intact—and that's significant. House DFL unity prevented harmful rollbacks including repealing Community Solar Gardens, weakening the 100% clean electricity law, fast-tracking fossil fuels, restricting renewable energy siting, and eliminating the Renewable Development Account. Minnesota's nationally respected energy programs from recent years will continue driving lasting climate progress. We also made headway to ensure data centers do not jeopardize our clean water or put our clean energy goals at risk and that they are playing fairly in our state, which includes new dedicated funding that will support home energy efficiency.

Though more work remains, these policies ensure Minnesota maintains its leadership in clean energy and climate action—the best possible outcome for this legislative session.

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*Transportation Budget Falls Short Despite Some Wins*

While we successfully defeated partisan delays on transportation climate emissions assessments and extended free Metro Mobility fares on regular routes, other members prioritized earmarked projects over funding transit, leaving riders to bear the burden of budget cuts. In the immediate term, this should not likely impact current service, but these cuts slow important capital maintenance investments.

Residents across the district say that they want improved transit service and that bus rapid transit (BRT) is a smart investment. That is why I fought for a proposal that would have redirected more of the metro sales tax revenue increase from the 2023 Legislative session to its originally intended purpose: transit. The proposal shifted 8.5% of the metro area sales tax to the Metropolitan Council for BRT expansion, resulting in approximately $50 million / year for BRT build out. This reallocation would have funded a regionally balanced BRT network throughout the metro area and, if bonded, actually increased both the number of lines and construction speed. While this proposal did not go through this year, I will continue to fight for improved transit.

Despite these disappointments, I am glad we put $1 million towards traffic calming in Minneapolis, making streets safer for seniors walking to buy groceries and students walking to school. The transportation budget also includes a pilot program I authored to help ensure our small businesses and shops are supported during road construction.

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*Around the District*

It’s summer in Minneapolis - a time for Pride, ice cream socials, activities at the lakes, and the new Uptown Farmers Market!  If you haven’t been yet, it’s a good time every Thursday 4-8pm at Girard Ave S and Lake Street.

Pride and farmers market photos

Photos: (left) Uptown Farmers Market with Julia Chamberlain, market manager, (right) Pride Parade

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*Road Construction*

There is an old joke that says, “we have four seasons in Minnesota: fall, winter, spring, and construction.”  That could not be more true this year.  Green Line Extension LRT and 394 will have road and lane closures starting this week. Learn more on the subsequent project pages here [ [link removed] ]and here [ [link removed] ].

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*Uptown Futures Forum*

At the end of June, the South Uptown Neighborhood Association along with surrounding business and neighborhood associations hosted the Uptown Futures Forum [ [link removed] ]. Speakers panels of business owners, property owners, and academics talked about the history over the decades,their experiences in Uptown, and ideas to create new vibrancy. It was exciting to hear ideas for affordable commercial rents, livening the streetscape, and including new housing, which is planned for part of the 7 Points block. I was honored to join other local elected officials to weigh in on opportunities to support Uptown’s resurgence. Importantly, over $400,000 of MN Promise Act Grants [ [link removed] ] have been awarded to Uptown businesses and another round should open soon. The City has an Urban Land Institute planning process in the works for the area later this year. 

And this summer, two wonderful University of Minnesota grad student interns are helping research state policy changes - whether its small business regulations or property tax changes or something else - that could continue to build a positive future for Uptown. As the Hennepin road construction winds down later this year, there were many community members excited to engage in the evolution of this important hub.

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*Traffic Cameras Installed in Minneapolis and Mendota Heights*

In other related transportation news, you may have seen in the news lately that speed safety cameras are being installed in Minneapolis and Mendota Heights as part of a pilot program [ [link removed]. ] that passed in 2023. Although I wasn’t serving here when the legislation passed, I’m glad we’re using this as another tool in the tool box to help free up law enforcement’s time and efforts, while gaining more information about how we can prevent and control the dangerous habit of speeding and red light running.

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*Learning from Others*

Later this month, I will be out of town in Berlin for the American Council on Germany Young Leaders exchange. I was selected to participate with a bipartisan group of legislators along with business and non-profit leaders from across the U.S. to discuss democracy, diplomatic relations, the economy, and more. Later, I will be meeting with policy experts in Vienna and Copenhagen, two cities that regularly rank high on lists of the most livable cities due to their innovative housing, energy, and transportation policies. I'm excited to bring back what I've learned and apply these lessons to make Minnesota a more just, resilient, and thriving state. 

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*Stay Connected*

The work doesn’t stop! Please continue joining me at Hennepin Happy Hours, email me at [email protected], or call 651-296-9281 with your input, thoughts, and questions. I’m happy to see how I can help. You’re also welcome to reach out to my legislative assistant, Spencer, if you need assistance or have a thought to share.

August Hennepin Happy Hours

Thank you for the distinct honor of representing you at the State Capitol.

Warmly,

Katie Jones
State Representative 






State Representative Katie Jones

5th Floor, Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar St.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

Phone: 651-296-9281
Email: [email protected] (replies to this newsletter are not monitored).
Website [ [link removed] ]
Legislative Assistant: Spencer Crose 651-297-8129







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