Neighbors, If you observe, I hope you had a relaxing Easter or Passover holiday break. The legislature returned to the Capitol today and will begin passing our budget bills. Getting Work DoneTomorrow the full House is scheduled to consider the Legacy budget bill for passage. The measure invests resources in outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage. These investments are made possible by voters who passed the Legacy Amendment in 2008. House Democrats are investing over $800 million to continue the important work of restoring, enhancing, and protecting Minnesota’s most treasured spaces, while increasing access for all.  On Wednesday, we are also scheduled to debate the Higher Education budget bill. The measure funds the Office of Higher Ed (OHE), the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MinnState), the University of Minnesota campuses, and the Mayo Clinic Medical School. The budget bill fully funds a tuition freeze at MinnState for two years, addresses the tuition shortfall at the U of M, helps the entire MinnState system address structural deficits, assists all three Tribal colleges with ongoing funds, and invests in the U of M systemwide safety and security. The higher education budget has faced disinvestment over the last ten years, and this budget aims to make up for underfunding. Video of all hearings and floor votes are available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel. MedicaidCuring the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, annual renewals for our public health programs – MinnesotaCare and Medicaid – paused. On May 11, the Covid-19 Public Health Emergency is ending and those on MinnesotaCare or Medicaid will need to update their information to determine their ongoing eligibility. If someone is no longer eligible for coverage under Medicaid, they should be able to get low-cost health insurance through the federal and state insurance marketplaces. You can watch a short video here for more information. Stay Connected with the LegislatureIt’s easy to stay in touch with State Capitol activities. The Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website. Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me any time. You can find my information on my House website. Also, make sure to ‘like’ my Facebook page. It is an honor to represent you at the State Capitol. Sincerely, Jerry Newton State Representative |