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Friends and Neighbors,??

As we near the halfway point of the legislative session, committee hearings are getting longer, more bills are being heard, and we?re beginning to set the framework for our new State budget. It?s a lot of work, but I?m grateful for the opportunity to discuss our progress. Here is what my colleagues and I have been working on at the Capitol:?

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*Trans Refuge Bill Passes off House Floor*?

This morning, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed?HF 146 [ [link removed] ],?the Trans Refuge bill, with a 68-62 vote. The bill prevents out-of-state laws from interfering in the practice of gender-affirming health care.??

With the staggering rise of anti-transgender and anti-LGBTQIA2S+ legislation by extremist Republicans, Minnesota is a beacon of hope for trans and gender-expansive children and their families. The Trans Refuge bill will send a strong message to the trans community that they are loved, supported, and protected here in our state. The trans community has been a part of human history for centuries and we refuse to stand by and watch Republican extremists deteriorate and eradicate us from society. I want every young trans person to know they are valued, their lives matter, and they are exceptional for who they are and who they will become.?

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*Woman of the Year Minnesota*?

On Sunday, March 19, USA Today released their Women of the Year project [ [link removed] ], picking one woman to represent each state, choosing me as Woman of the Year for Minnesota. ?

I am extremely honored to receive such an important recognition.. I am earnestly grateful for the recognition I have received for my work because it is a direct reflection of the long history of the work of woman leaders before me and for those to come. As an elected official, I recognize how I got here. The faith that has been put in me by my district, the queer community, and my colleagues at the Capitol has been life-giving. I have faced several challenges on my way here, but each one of them has only strengthened me to make me the powerful woman I am today. I have received inspiration from my peers, colleagues, and communities for whom I have the deepest respect, and from whom I have derived the strength to challenge myself and perform better at each stage. I?ve only begun to fathom how much my life has changed for the better over the past year. I promise I?ll do all I can to improve ALL our communities.?

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*Youth Summit*?

On Thursday, March 16, I got the opportunity to be a panelist for OutFront Minnesota?s Youth Summit. We must teach young people how to be positive advocates for change, provide leadership skills, and empower them to be self-valued leaders and citizens of their communities capable of creating reform. I was honored to help uplift the fresh pupils in the audience and encourage them to celebrate their intersectional identities and queerness. ?

*Increased Funding for HIV/AIDS Services*?

On Tuesday, March 21, I presented my bill HF 2568. The purpose of this bill is to fund services to people living with HIV/AIDS and preventative services. We can end new HIV transmission in Minnesota. We already know how, we just need the support to get it done. Thank you to my testifiers from the Aliveness Project for their courageous testimony. ?

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*Ramsey County Historical Society*?

I am proud to carry HF 1692 [ [link removed] ], which would provide funding to the Gibbs Farm Museum: Pathways to Dakota and Pioneer Life. A grant would be established for the Ramsey County Historical Society to design, renovate, construct, furnish, and equip site improvements, buildings, and facilities at Gibbs Farm. The museum is dedicated to the history of early Minnesota agriculture?and the relationship between the Dakota people of Heyata Othunwe and the Jane and Heman?Gibbs family.?

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*Como Zoo*?

I also presented my bill HF 1675 [ [link removed] ], in the Captial Investment Committee last Wednesday. For over one hundred years, Como Park has played a vital role in meeting the recreational needs of residents of Saint Paul and surrounding communities. Inspired in part by the landscape designs of H.W.S. Cleveland, Frederick Nussbaumer?who was Superintendent of Parks from 1891 to 1922, worked tirelessly to create an outdoor haven for the area?s urban population. Nussbaumer strongly advocated for a wide variety of free or reasonably priced recreational activities, services, and educational opportunities for all park visitors. The park as we know it today continues to carry out this original vision. Unfortunately, over the many years of service this wonderful establishment has provided to the community, it is in desperate need of renovations and upgrades to ensure the conservatory is providing a safe family-friendly space but also is a safe home for the many animals and creatures. ?

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*Public Art Saint Paul*?

Last Friday, I was excited to talk about HF 2616 [ [link removed] ] in Legacy Finance Committee. This bill will provide funding to the Minnesota State Arts Board for a grant to Public Art Saint Paul for art programming at the Wakpa Triennial Art Festival to showcase new art across the Twin Cities by Minnesota artists in outdoor and indoor settings and to encourage visitors to experience the arts and culture produced by local arts and culture organizations. Art is genuinely a gift to the world. Art gives meaning to our lives and helps us understand our world. It is an essential part of our culture because it allows us to have a deeper understanding of our emotions; it increases our self-awareness, and allows us to be open to new ideas and experiences. We need to increase art experiences for our communities.?

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*Filmmaking and Film Education*?

HF 752 [ [link removed] ], is near and dear to my heart. This bill would establish a grant to FilmNorth to renovate 2441 University Avenue in the city of St. Paul into a filmmaking and film education facility. The art of filmmaking has risen from a niche industry to one of the most popular forms of entertainment around the world. ?By learning how to appreciate the filmmaking process, young students are given valuable tools that can broaden their worldview. Establishing a filmmaking and film education facility would provide a foundation for understanding cinema-and its relation to culture, history, technology and aesthetics. Film Studies teaches students to create and analyze moving images, to produce research, and to make art.?

*Reproductive Freedom Defense Act?*?

On Monday March 20, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed my Reproductive Freedom Defense Act legislation with a 68-62 vote. The bill protects the privacy and rights of persons receiving or providing reproductive health care in the state. ?

Bodily autonomy is a right, and today we took a critical step in protecting that for more people and providers. The Reproductive Freedom Defense Act will protect the fundamental rights of Minnesota healthcare providers and patients from legal attacks and criminal penalties imposed by anti-abortion extremists in other states. With the overturning of "Roe v. Wade", we must ensure all Minnesotans have equitable access to reproductive healthcare.?

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*Women?s History Month*??

March is Women's History Month! Let?s use this month to remember and honor all the amazing women who paved the way for us. There is still a lot of work we need to do to stand up for equal rights in Minnesota and I am committed to pursuing this important work at the Capitol.???

Women throughout history have created opportunities for me and so many others. This month is an opportunity to learn about our great leaders, activists, and pioneers who have worked hard to ensure women are recognized and that future generations will learn (with accuracy) the contributions women throughout the world have made. Women?s History Month empowers young girls around the nation with courage, self-esteem, and willpower to walk in our ancestors? footsteps. Our history will also inspire current and future generations to emulate the women who laid the framework for us to succeed, be treated equitably, and be recognized in society.?

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*Stay Connected*

If you haven?t yet, you can ?like? and follow my official State Representative Facebook page [ [link removed] ] to keep up with my work. I also invite you to contact my office with any questions or comments you may have at (651) 296-3824 or [email protected]. I will be happy to assist you.?

For broader legislative information, you can access the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services for nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily [ [link removed] ] publication.

It?s an honor to represent our community in the Minnesota House.?

Sincerely,?

?

Leigh Finke

State Representative - 66A








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