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Dear neighbors,

I hope you are well and have been able to grab some time outdoors on our warmer days. Spring is coming, and I know I am ready for it. 

Things are in full swing at the Capitol with the first and second deadlines closing in, and my days are packed with committee hearings, bill presentations, and meaningful conversations with constituents. What keeps me energized is seeing members of the Edina and Bloomington community show up in St. Paul to engage in the work alongside me. There is nothing more powerful than hearing directly from our city and school leaders, students, constituents, and advocates as they testify on legislation and share the real impacts of proposed policies on our schools, our families, and our communities. It’s exactly why I do this work.

Community at the Capitol

Greenewithconstituents

"A snapshot of the last few weeks at the Capitol. Public health initiatives. K-12 education funding and school safety. Rising healthcare costs. Economic benefits of major golf tournaments. Mental health impact of Operation Metro Surge on teachers. Affordable housing. Civic engagement. Infrastructure bonding needs. Better access to Alzheimer’s treatment. Preventing gun violence. "

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Standing Up to the Federal Government

Since the start of session, there has been significant work to advance legislation aimed at holding the federal government accountable for the unconstitutional actions of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. It is critical that we lay the groundwork for stronger protections moving forward. I am also part of a working group with legislators from across the country working together to elevate state rights. 

I co-authored a bill to prohibit ICE from entering schools. Teachers, bus drivers, students, and parents showed up to testify in strong support of these protections for students and staff. The bill ultimately failed on a party-line vote in committee. During our Education Policy hearing, I pushed back on colleagues [ [link removed] ] who were unwilling to acknowledge the trauma caused by masked, armed federal agents entering school spaces and the very real impact that has on students and our broader school communities. 

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Preventing Gun Violence

The drive and focus to pass meaningful gun violence prevention measures has never been stronger. The tragedies that have occurred in Minnesota since our last session are unspeakable, and a clear majority of Minnesotans are demanding change to our laws. At the forefront is fierce advocacy for banning high-capacity magazines and the sale of military-style assault weapons, with families from Annunciation bravely sharing the profound trauma and loss their community endured in August. 

One of the most moving moments of the session was joining students and families in the Capitol Rotunda to sing songs of hope while empty desks lined the front lawn in solemn remembrance. While it is deeply disappointing that a ban on weapons of war and other critical measures have failed to advance out of the Public Safety Committee, that setback will not deter the determination I share with my colleagues and Minnesotans to pass laws that will save lives. Our job is to center the voices of Minnesotans most impacted.  [ [link removed] ]

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For more positive news, during the 2023–24 legislative session, experts and advocates knew that passing red flag laws would save lives, if people were aware of them and able to use them. We are seeing more Minnesotans are using this life saving law than ever before [ [link removed] ]. This is a good thing.

Since last June, I’ve been working with a group of students to advance legislation aimed at strengthening firearm security on school grounds. Our bill was introduced with widespread support from principals, superintendents, many school board members, and law enforcement. It received its first hearing in the House Education Policy Committee, where I invited the students to co-present alongside me [ [link removed] ]. The bill is gaining bipartisan interest in both chambers, and we will continue working to move it forward.

GreeneStudents

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Preventing Fraud

Like many of you, I’m angry about the recent fraud cases in Minnesota. Any fraud is unacceptable, and those perpetrating it should be held accountable for their crimes. Fraud in our public programs hurts the very people these services are meant to support and undermines the trust necessary for investments in public needs. Greedy actors have exploited consumers, seniors, veterans, and public services, and we need to hold those responsible accountable while ensuring we are addressing gaps in the system to prevent fraud in the future. 

My colleagues and I are pursuing additional measures [ [link removed] ] to address fraud. Many of the changes made over the last couple of years have resulted in fraud being detected and prosecuted. You can learn more about that and how these changes are being implemented here [ [link removed] ]. 

Other actions that we need to advance in legislation include:

1) Creation of an independent Office of Inspector General to work across agencies to prevent, identify, and investigate fraud with improved processes and accountability measures. I am a co-author;

2) Additional resources to the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit [ [link removed] ] to investigate and prosecute attempts to defraud Medicaid. This unit does great work and can fight fraud more effectively with even more tools; 

3) Modernize IT systems to prevent and detect fraud. Read more about it here [ [link removed] ]. 

Minnesotans deserve a government that works for people, and I will continue working to strengthen oversight, protect public resources, and ensure every taxpayer dollar is used for its intended purpose. 

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Bill Introductions

I have introduced several bills this session, many of which are bipartisan and have already received hearings. Here are a few of them:


* Increasing K-12 Safe Schools revenue and levy authority from $36 to $44 per pupil, and providing local education revenue to address regional cost-of-living differences and allowing school districts to use lease levy dollars for graduation ceremony facilities;
* Authorizing a social district license for Edina;
* Creating a Protective Services Unit within the Department of Public Safety to improve legislator and principal state official security and threat assessment
* Banning semiautomatic military-style assault weapons (Co-Chief author)
* Establishing a competitive grant program to expand the media and newspaper talent pipeline;
* Creating cost-sharing support for life-saving epilepsy medications.

I appreciate all the feedback from constituents on things that matter to you. I receive hundreds of emails, and work to respond to them directly from me. Please continue to reach out to me at *[email protected]** or 651-296-4363*. To receive legislative updates, please subscribe [ [link removed] ] and follow along on my Facebook page [ [link removed] ].

Thank you for staying engaged. It truly is an honor to represent you and our communities in St. Paul.

Warm regards,

 

*Julie Greene*

State Representative

District 50A






State Representative Julie Greene

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

Phone: 651-296-4363
Email: [email protected] (replies to this newsletter are not monitored).
[ [link removed] ]Website [ [link removed] ] Legislative Assistant: Monique Harris 651-296-5383







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