Legislative Update January 27, 2023
Dear Neighbors,
This past week I have been attending committee hearings, meeting with constituents, and voting on legislation to move Minnesota forward. On Wednesday, Pastor Dave Bjorklund from St. Mark’s Lutheran Church visited the House Floor and gave the opening prayer. I thank him for coming and delivering a moment of grounding before the House’s proceedings.
Minnesota House Passes IIJA and Clean Energy Bill
This week, the House unanimously passed legislation to authorize that $315,500,000 in 2023 be provided from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. I was proud to sign on as a co-author and vote for the bill’s passage.
The IIJA is an opportunity to make a large dent in our infrastructure needs across the state. Minnesotans deserve a transportation system that is as safe as possible for drivers, pedestrians, and transit users, and the IIJA allows us to make that a reality. I am delighted that this first piece of IIJA funding has been passed early in the session to ensure summer road construction can go ahead
Also, this Thursday the House DFL majority passed the 100% by 2040 bill, a landmark piece of legislation that will help our state address climate change head-on and prepare for a carbon-free future. Action at the state level is urgently needed to help the U.S. meet our climate goals. This legislation would require the state’s utilities to use entirely carbon-free sources for electricity production by 2040. This would put us on track with over 20 other states that have also adopted similar goals.
Not only is this legislation critical to protecting our climate, but it also makes economic sense. Wind power is the cheapest form of electricity, and producing solar energy is cheaper than building new fossil fuel plants or importing fossil fuels from other states. This bill ensures that we remove barriers to setting up carbon-free and renewable power sources and invest in jobs right here in Minnesota.
Legacy Committee Hearing
On Wednesday, the Legacy Committee heard presentations from the State Arts Board, the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Minnesota Humanities Center, which receive money for projects from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund receives 19.75 percent of the sales tax revenue resulting from the Legacy amendment in order to support the arts, education, and accessibility, and to preserve Minnesota's history and cultural heritage.
You can watch the presentations here to learn more about the types of projects that receive Legacy dollars from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Keep in Touch
If you have any questions, ideas, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to email me at rep.leon.lillie@house.mn.gov or give me a call at (651) 296-1188.
Sincerely,
Leon Lillie
State Representative