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Legislative Update from Rep. Katie Jones





Dear Neighbors,

I hope this email finds you well and enjoying the sunny days we’ve been having.

Since my son, Hans, was born at the end of February, it’s been a whirlwind of activity at home. Peter and I are enjoying parenthood, and I’ve been glad for the technology we have in the legislature that allows me to participate and vote remotely with ease. I’ve been able to experience and enjoy all that comes with being a new parent. And it makes me especially grateful this type of support is available to all working parents through Minnesota’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave program.

Sweet Baby Hans

We all do better when we all do better. Whether it’s supporting Minnesotans as new parents, or caregivers to loved ones or themselves, getting assistance with these everyday life events ensures none of us are left behind financially. I don’t think anyone should ever have to lose a paycheck because they need to take time to care for others or themselves. To date, 65,000 Minnesotans have enrolled and approximately 34,000 are currently using it.

To learn more about Paid Family and Medical Leave in Minnesota, click on this link [ [link removed] ].

Paid Leave Graphic
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*Fighting to Keep Minnesotans Safe*

Last Thursday, DFL colleagues and I brought three common-sense bills forward — two on gun safety and one to keep ICE out of schools without a judicial warrant. Instead of honest debate, the other side simply blocked us. Shutting that down — especially with grieving parents watching and our students experiencing the level of trauma and learning loss that they are— is unacceptable. I'm asking my colleagues across the aisle plainly: come to the table and work with us. The children of Minnesota deserve better than this.

We also attempted to pass legislation to release existing funds for emergency rental assistance. These would be paid directly to landlords after the tenant applies through the current rental assistance structure. With evictions at an all time high, it’s clear we need to act. Unfortunately, the legislation failed on a straight party line vote. Making sure people can stay in their homes, especially as they face threats to their own economic security through no fault of their own, shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It’s why I’m supporting legislation that builds more homes and gets to the root of our housing shortage across the city and state.

Voting to Protect Minnesotans Graphic
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*Ensuring Public Dollars are Used Responsibly*

Any public dollar that isn’t used to help who it’s intended to is unacceptable. That is why we are working on a number of policies to prevent fraud and create greater accountability for the use of public money. This includes improved vetting and audits of grant recipients and creating independent investigative processes, such as through an Office of Inspector General (OIG) [ [link removed] ]. We’re having robust bipartisan conversations about the development of an OIG. As we do this, I’m focused on ensuring that any OIG bill we move forward follows the Constitution, does not duplicate work already being done by other agencies, and makes sure we’re not doing anything to jeopardize funding we receive or put vulnerable people at risk. 

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*Legislation I’m Carrying*

The issues and ideas you raise directly impact the bills I’m bringing forward. Because local workers brought concerns about lack of reasonable accommodation to sit in their workplace, I’ve introduced a bill [ [link removed] ] that would ensure workplaces have reasonable options to sit available for their employees.

Because we all want a more vibrant Downtown, I’ve authored legislation [ [link removed] ] that would allow a Malcolm Yards–like food hall concept in Downtown.

Because you’ve shared frustration of buses being slowed down by illegally stopped vehicles in bus lanes, I’ve introduced a bill [ [link removed] ] to equip Metro Transit buses with camera systems that can identify vehicles in violation of bus lane rules and support enforcement of the law.

Resident concern about water quality and climate change has led to a bill [ [link removed] ] with guardrails on future oil pipelines.

Worries about artificial intelligence has led to a couple [ [link removed] ] of bills [ [link removed] ] creating safety protections around AI.

When we return from legislative break, I’ll be presenting bills to expand our public transit [ [link removed] ] system and improve energy efficiency in buildings [ [link removed] ].

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*Keep in Touch*

Please continue to keep in touch on the issues that matter most to you! I appreciate hearing from you. Due to technological constraints, direct replies to this email won’t reach my inbox. Please write to share your thoughts at [email protected] or call 651-296-9281. 

You’re also welcome to follow me on my Facebook page [ [link removed] ] for more community updates. 

It’s an honor to represent our Minneapolis neighborhoods in the Minnesota House. 

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: Kenton Briggs 651-297-8129

Follow Rep. Jones on Facebook [ [link removed] ] and Bluesky. [ [link removed] ]

 

 








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