Friends and neighbors,
There are a lot of big things happening at the Capitol, and I can’t wait to tell you about what I’ve been working on.
Ensuring Time for Care for Workers
There are two bills making their way through committee hearings, which will ensure time off for Minnesota workers. HF 19, known as “Earned Sick and Safe Time” would guarantee, at a minimum, one hour of paid Earned Sick and Safe Time for every 30 hours worked, up to at least 48 hours per year. I am proud to be a co-author of this important legislation.
HF 2 will ensure paid family and medical leave for Minnesotans. Currently, some Minnesotans are eligible for paid family leave through their employer, but many can only receive unpaid leave. This bill will give workers time and financial security to be with their loved ones during the most joyful and challenging moments of their lives. We all know that the first weeks after birth or the new placement of a foster or adoptive child is a critical time for families.
Once passed, the legislation will provide workers with up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave per year.
Governor Walz’s Budget Proposal
This week, the Governor announced his full budget proposal for the biennium, which included many exciting things. Included in this is a proposal for reducing social security taxes. I am looking forward to working with the Governor to ensure we pass a balanced budget through committees.
Reproductive Rights
Last week, we made history by passing the Protect Reproduction Options (PRO) Act. This bill is important because it protects the fundamental right of all Minnesotans to make their own reproductive health decisions. I voted “yes” because I want to preserve the right of all Minnesotans to access contraception and abortion care, so they make their own decisions on when to start a family. Politics has no place in a doctor’s office. I’m looking forward to swift passage in the Senate so that the Governor can sign this into law soon.
Helping First-Generation Homebuyers
Another exciting piece of legislation I’m co-authoring is HF 12, which establishes a pilot program to help first-generation homebuyers to purchase a home by funding closing costs, down payments, and principal reduction. This will help many Minnesotans whose families have been stuck in the renter cycle for generations finally own their homes and start building generational wealth. I will keep you updated as this bill progresses.
Stay Connected
To stay up to date with our important work at the State Capitol, you can see the Minnesota House of Public Information Services’ nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication.
To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.michael.nelson@house.mn.gov or 651-296-3751, and I will be happy to help.
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Have a great weekend.
In solidarity,
Michael V. Nelson