Legislative Update from Rep. Kim Hicks

Neighbors, 

Now that the Minnesota House is tied 67-67, how we work together has already changed. Since neither party can pass bills alone, we're seeing more teamwork across the aisle, which Republicans largely refused to do prior to returning to the tie. 

This new setup is already showing good results. Bills that were stuck before are now moving forward as Republicans are finally working with us. As your representative, I'm still fighting for what you elected me to do while also finding areas where we can agree. This is about getting things done for our community and state.  

Currently, committees are working on putting together budget packages. While having tied committee membership has been able to stop bad Republican bills from advancing, nothing is set until the packages are passed off the House Floor. I'll keep fighting to use our hard-won position to deliver meaningful results for our community while holding the line against Republican efforts to roll back our progress. 

Last week, I had a hearing on my bill to address the funding shortfall in Minnesota's Vocational Rehabilitation Services program, which helps Minnesotans with disabilities find and maintain meaningful employment. With demand for services increasing and the future of federal funding uncertain, this investment is crucial to prevent waiting lists and ensure disabled workers can access the support they need to join our workforce and live independently. 

Standing up for Labor

I joined local unions as they responded to an announcement by the Governor that all state workers will be required to work in-office at least 50% of the time starting June 1st. This unilateral announcement with such a short timeline has put a lot of state workers in a tough position, especially those who relied on remote work and moved farther from their offices or will need child care that is largely impossible to find to cover commuting hours. State agencies have also largely downsized their office space due to the effectiveness and popularity of remote work, meaning many agencies don’t have enough space to support this increase of in-office work.  

This is not how we respect and work with labor unions. I hope the Governor’s office will return to the table with our unions to sort this out in a timely manner.  

Volunteer Advisory Board Positions Now Open

Olmsted County is currently seeking dedicated community members to fill several important positions on our local advisory boards. These volunteer roles offer residents a meaningful way to contribute their expertise and perspectives on issues that directly impact our community. 

Three boards currently have openings: 

• Chester Sewer Advisory Board 
• Olmsted County Parks Commission 
• Public Health Services Advisory Board 

Members of these boards will have the opportunity to provide valuable input on county decisions, represent community interests, and help shape the future of our area. These positions are perfect for residents who want to get more involved in local governance and make a difference in how our county operates. 

The deadline for applications is 5:00 PM on April 25th. Interviews for selected candidates will be conducted in May. 

For complete information about the application process and specific requirements for each board, please visit: tinyurl.com/5cybrfpe 

Minnesota Business Survey on Impacts of Tariffs

As Minnesota’s businesses deal with the uncertainty of proposed tariffs and countermeasures, and the implementation of some tariffs and countermeasures, the Minnesota Trade Office and the Department of Employment and Economic Development are collecting information from affected Minnesota businesses.  

We created a brief survey to gather information on the impacts of tariffs on your business. As we are in this period of uncertainty, the state understands you may have a lag in data, so this survey is a way for you to communicate directly with us now. The survey will take less than five minutes of your time to complete. We would appreciate your time to respond to our survey here. 

For Your Recipe Book

If you’re like me, the news coming out of Washington has been overwhelming lately. In between calling my congressmembers and working to protect our progress here in Minnesota, one thing that keeps me going is cooking food for my friends and family. Food connects us, comforts us, and fuels us to continue to fight extreme MAGA policies that hurt people. In the name of community and longevity of our fight, I want to share some of my favorite recipes that are staples in our household.    

This week’s is a delicacy, but oh so worth it – my deviled eggs! My recipe has a slight twist to add an extra layer of flavor, but trust me. You won’t be disappointed. You can download the recipe card here!  

Stay Connected with the Legislature

Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so call or email any time. You can find my information on my House website. You can also like my Facebook page.

It is an honor to represent you at the State Capitol.

Sincerely,

Kim Hicks

State Representative