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Dear Neighbors,

As we mark the halfway point of the 2023 session, I want to take some time to give a quick update on the latest developments.​ It was a busy week at the Capitol with hearings and floor votes addressing issues from education, to climate resilience, to ensuring Minnesotans have the assistance they need to live their best lives.






Stephenson

Universal School Meals 

Throughout this session, we have been committed to ensuring Minnesota is the best state in the nation to raise a family. Part of that is providing world-class education to our students and addressing the needs of our kids.

In Minnesota, 1 in 6 students are trying to learn on an empty stomach. Even with the current free and reduced lunch programs, kids are falling through the cracks. That is unacceptable.

That is why I voted yes on HF 5 [ [link removed] ], a bill that will ensure every child receives a free breakfast and lunch at school.  I am pleased to report that the bill has now passed the full House and Senate with bipartisan support, and has been sent to the Governor for his signature.  

Students cannot learn on an empty stomach. This was the right bill to pass, for all Minnesota families.

Smoothing the Transition to Electric Vehicles 

Our transportation system is on the cusp of a major transition from fossil fuel powered vehicles to electric vehicles.  This transition will bring a lot of benefits to Minnesotans, from reduced fuel and maintenance costs to reduced greenhouse gases.  But there are also challenges, from needing more charging infrastructure, to retraining dealership employees, to defraying the costs of EVs.  This week my bill to help residents, businesses and the state of Minnesota to manage the transition to electric vehicles was heard in the climate committee, where it was positively received. 

This bill establishes a rebate program for new, used, and leased electric vehicles, creates a car dealership grant program that will reduce the dealership’s cost to retrain their employees, empowers electric utilities to build charging infrastructure, and directs state government to buy electric vehicles whenever possible.

Providing Emergency Rental Assistance 

On Thursday the House voted to invest in emergency rental assistance funding in response to an increase in evictions following the pandemic through the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program. When we are faced with a multi-layered, long-term housing crisis, we must pursue both immediate and long-term solutions. This bill takes a huge step to address head-on the crisis and help keep folks in their homes. I’m proud to have voted Yes.

At the same time, I am working on addressing the longer term issue of high housing costs.  We need to build a lot more housing in Minnesota.  We also need to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.  That is why I am authoring HF 2676.  This bill relates to a major property tax cut that developers of affordable senior housing receive under current law.  The bill says that if a developer takes the tax cut, they can’t increase the rent in their buildings by more than 5% in a year.  If a developer is going to be subsidized by the government in the form of a property tax break, I think we need to make sure the benefit of that property tax cut flows to the residents.  The inspiration for this bill is the experience of the residents of the River North building in Coon Rapids, which is an affordable senior housing building owned by a huge development company that receives many tax benefits.  Last year, the building saw massive rent increases, causing extreme hardship on the senior residents, the vast majority of which are on fixed incomes.  This is unacceptable.

House Passes Indian Family Preservation Act  

Last week, The Minnesota House passed a bill that would enhance child welfare protections under the 1985 Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, known as MIFPA. The legislation also affirms the state’s policy on Tribal-state relations, including the recognition of Tribes as sovereign nations and the recognition that Tribes have the inherent authority to determine their own jurisdiction for Indian child custody or child placement proceedings. 

This bill comes just in time, as there is uncertainty on the fate of the Indian Child Welfare Act, with the conservative-leaning US Supreme Court expected to rule on its constitutionality. This bill will ensure that Minnesota remains a place that respects tribal sovereignty. 

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at [email protected] or 651-296-5513.

It’s an honor to represent our Coon Rapids and Anoka families in St. Paul.

Sincerely,

Rep. Zack Stephenson

Minnesota House of Representatives 








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