Dear Neighbors, We’re continuing to work diligently in the House. With all session committee deadlines just around the corner, House leaders announced an agreement over the weekend on committee finance targets for crafting a state budget for the next two years. This House agreement calls for almost $1.16 billion in funding reductions to the General Fund. The work before us now is crafting a bipartisan budget framework balancing the Senate budget targets and the governor’s budget recommendations, which all have significant differences from the House. Given the current economic forecast indicating a future state deficit, we must remain cautious given the impacts of federal tariffs, combined with a plummeting stock market, and other federal cuts impacting services in Minnesota. A balanced budget approach is essential to safeguard critical services for Minnesotans, particularly those relying on Medicaid.  Outdoor Heritage Fund Grant OpportunityOn April 1, 2025, the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council released its FY27 Call for Funding Requests. An estimated $150 million will be available for habitat work. Eligibility for these grants includes local units of government, Parks & Rec. departments, SWCDs, Watershed District, Tribal entities, Non-profit organizations, etc. This funding is dedicated for use in projects that “protect, restore, and enhance habitat for fish, game, and wildlife.” If you would like to discuss potential project ideas, LSOHC staff will gladly meet with you and offer their assistance! MNDOT Construction UpdatesMNDOT is doing construction on some major roadways in our district that I’d like to update on: First, the Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the community to attend an April 10 public meeting to learn more about the 2026 construction project for Highway 55/Hiawatha Avenue, 46th Street East, and 45th Street East in Minneapolis. MnDOT will be making pedestrian safety and accessibility improvements to the Highway 55/Hiawatha Avenue and 46th Street East and 45th Street East intersections. The work will include constructing pedestrian refuge islands, reconstructing turn lanes, realigning the Hiawatha Trail crossing, replacing traffic signals and adding a pedestrian signal, adding crosswalks, and adding fencing. When the work is finished, this intersection will be safer and easier for pedestrians, bikers, transit users, and drivers to navigate and use. The meeting will be held in person from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the Lake Nokomis Community Center, 2401 E. Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the project and ask questions of the project team. There is no formal presentation, and the public is invited to stop by anytime. Additionally, there will be upcoming bridge preservation work on I-94 between East River Pkwy/Franklin Ave. and just west of Hwy 55/I-35W. Constituents can sign up for project email updates at the project webpage. Upcoming closures begin as follows: -Trail closure: Monday, March 31, on West River Parkway, with detour along the parkway; Monday April 7, on Hiawatha LRT trail with detours along 20th and Cedar. - Road closures: 10 pm Friday April 4 through 5 am Monday, April 7 on EB I-94. -Lane closures: April 7 through fall on I-94 reduced to two lanes in both directions. -Ramp closures: April 2. Federal Cuts to MDH The Minnesota Department of Health announced last week that the Trump administration is unilaterally rescinding $226 million in federal grants related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cuts amount to about 25% of MDH’s current budget, according to KARE-11, and are likely to result in the layoffs of around 200 employees. The actions are part of a broader nationwide effort to eliminate $11 billion in spending by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The recent federal funding cuts raise serious concerns about healthcare access for all Minnesotans and may exacerbate existing medical care disparities across our state. These changes could potentially impact essential services including COVID-19 testing capabilities, vaccination programs, and ongoing pandemic research initiatives. I am committed to pursuing solutions through collaboration, advocating for adequate public health funding, and supporting affected employees while ensuring our communities maintain access to vital health services during this challenging transition. Advancing Legislation Helping Children This week, I have been working hard to support the workforce behind the workforce- the childcare industry. This work has traditionally been undervalued, and the workers that do the important work of caring for the youngest in our society often do not make a living wage. I presented a law to provide free or subsidized childcare to childcare workers. I also hosted a childcare roundtable with parents and childcare providers. We discussed the barriers around opening and maintaining childcare centers, the role of regulation in program quality, and concerns around overregulation through camera surveillance in childcare centers. I appreciated the feedback and will take it back to my work on the Children and Families committee.  In the Education Finance Committee, we voted down a proposal that would have gutted our landmark legislation providing free school meals to our children. You can view my committee comments on this proposal here. I was frustrated at this proposal to cut school meals brought forward by the other side of the aisle. I believe we should not be making cuts to programs that support students when we have the opportunity to raise revenue to fund our schools. Keep in TouchPlease continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at rep.samantha.sencer-mura@house.mn.gov or 651-297-7087. You can also follow my Facebook page. In community, Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura Minnesota House of Representatives |