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Dear Neighbor,
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The Minnesota House of Representatives is continuing its historically-productive start to the legislative session, passing important legislation to the Governor?s desk to be signed into law. Here?s an update on what?s been happening at the Capitol the last couple weeks.?
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Governor Walz signs the PRO Act
Last week, Governor Walz signed HF 1, the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act into law. The law protects Minnesotans? right to reproductive freedom. Fundamentally, this legislation is about who decides. Who is legally entitled to make reproductive health care decisions about an individual? Those of us who fought for this law believe that these decisions should be between patients and their doctors, and not left to politicians or judges.
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 Speaking at the bill signing.
100% Clean Energy by 2040 signed into law
This week, Governor Walz signed legislation that puts Minnesota on a path to produce 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040.?
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DFLers are taking action to address the climate crisis. We have known for decades ? and most clearly since 2007 ? that unchecked climate pollution threatens Minnesota?s future, and to preserve our state?s natural assets and ensure a livable climate for future generations, we need bold climate action.?
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We know that the cheapest form of electricity is wind, and that solar energy production has experienced steep cost declines due to policy fostering its adoption. Adding renewables is now cheaper than building new fossil fuel plants or importing fossil fuels from other states. This bill ensures that we remove barriers to adopting more carbon-free and renewable electricity generation, and ensures we invest in jobs right here in Minnesota.?
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Minnesota is already experiencing the impacts of climate change, and our planet has literally been on fire ? including in Minnesota and north of us in Canada ? the last several years. Minnesota can and should continue to be among states leading the American transition to clean energy. Current and future generations of Minnesotans deserve a healthy climate and clean energy future. DFLers are committed to building that better future.
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House passes Restore the Vote
On February 2, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the ?Restore the Vote? legislation, HF 28. This bill would restore the vote for those convicted of a felony who have been released from prison but are still on parole or on probation. Restoring voting rights would be a crucial step toward helping felons reintegrate into society in a state with one of the nation?s highest rates of people on probation. Currently, twenty states already allow people to vote upon release.?
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The right to vote forms the core of American democracy. A strong, vibrant democracy requires the broadest possible base of voter participation. Minnesotans who?ve served their time and are living in their communities should be allowed to vote.
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Governor signs CROWN Act and Juneteenth legislation into law
Last week, Governor Walz signed both the CROWN Act and legislation establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday.?
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The CROWN Act, adds to the Minnesota Human Rights Act a definition of race that is inclusive of natural hairstyles and textures. Racial discrimination against Black natural hair harms the African heritage community and hinders the overall potential and productivity of Minnesota?s economy.
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Juneteenth is the date on which slavery is generally understood to have been fully abolished in the United States, following the first public reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth recognizes the end of a truly dark period of American history and is a reminder of the work still ahead of us. By learning from our past we can better address the harmful racial disparities of the present and build a state that is more inclusive and more just.
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 Signing the enrollment for the CROWN Act to send the bill to the Governor?s desk.
House passes Driver?s Licenses for All
On January 31, the Minnesota House passed Driver?s Licenses for All, HF 4, which would allow undocumented residents of Minnesota to earn driver?s licenses.
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All Minnesotans deserve to be able to work and to take care of themselves and their families. Ensuring everyone has access to driver?s licenses will improve public safety for everyone, grow the state economy, and treat immigrant communities with the dignity and respect they deserve.
House passes universal school meals and emergency food shelf funding
This Thursday, the Minnesota House passed HF 5, providing universal school meals. The bill would guarantee breakfast and lunch to Minnesota?s students, reducing costs for families.?
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It?s hard to learn when you?re hungry. DFLers are acting to help make sure Minnesota?s children aren?t hungry at school, but that they are ready to learn. When kids come to school in the morning, all of them should be able to go to the cafeteria and get breakfast to start off the day, and at lunch, everyone should get a meal as well. DFLers are working to ensure our children have every opportunity to succeed.
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The House also unanimously passed HF 213, which provides Minnesota food shelves with emergency funding to purchase, transport, and coordinate the distribution of nutritious food to individuals and families in need.??
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The legislation will invest $5 million in the Department of Human Services for food shelf programs. DHS will then distribute funding under the bill to Hunger Solutions, an organization that supports Minnesota?s food shelves by connecting resources to serve its clients.
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Minnesotans come together to help each other in times of need. Far too many Minnesotans are experiencing food insecurity. We are acting to address this problem and ensure families aren?t going hungry.
As always, please contact me anytime with your input. You can reach me at 651-296-4280 or [email protected]. You can also keep up with what?s happening at the Capitol by liking my legislative Facebook page. Thank you.
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Sincerely,
Melissa Hortman
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