Legislative Update: The School Year Begins!

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Dear Neighbors,

Students and teachers have returned to the classroom. I hope you and the students in your home are looking forward to new learning experiences. This year there are several new reasons to be excited about the new school year:

• Free breakfast and lunch for all students, saving families hundreds of dollars annually.
• Better access to mental health services by helping districts hire more school counselors, psychologists, nurses, and social workers.
• Record funding for local school districts to ease reliance on property taxes as a funding source.
• $55 million in additional state funding for area schools.
• More prekindergarten opportunities to help our youngest learners get a great start in life.

I wish a successful school year to all students, families, and teachers!

Advocating for the unhoused

I recently attended an event to highlight accomplishments made this session to help our homeless population. We made some incredible progress, but there is more work to be done. Homes for All, a statewide coalition advancing housing stability for all Minnesotans, outlined a highlight summary of our achievements. It was an honor to serve as Human Services Committee Policy Committee chair where these measures were heard. The work we did with those experiencing homelessness, advocates, lawmakers, and the governor will help the effort to acquire secure and safe housing for all Minnesotans.

Mental Health Legislative Network lists legislative accomplishments

This legislative session, we made tremendous progress in our mental health systems. The Mental Health Legislative Network listed several bills to address the crisis. As chair of the Minnesota House Human Services Policy Committee, I was honored to be part of the effort to pass many of these key provisions into law. You can read all about the legislative accomplishments here.

Local nursing homes benefit from part of $173 million in new state funding

On August 1, several local nursing homes received a significant amount of new state funding as part of a bipartisan agreement to stabilize a sector of the economy facing financial hardship.

Our most vulnerable Minnesotans need the best care possible. The infusion of these funds will help our state’s nursing homes and those who care for the residents. Nursing homes have experienced some very difficult financial circumstances, and I was pleased to vote ‘yes” on this major assistance package to benefit these essential community facilities.

Of these initial investments, $839,563 has been delivered to these Maplewood nursing homes on August 1, including:

• $255,086 to Good Samaritan Society
• $343,449 to Maplewood Care Center
• $241,028 to Harmony Gardens

In addition, the same amount will be delivered to these facilities on August 1, 2024. 

Storm Damage Assistance

Many of you may have experienced property damage from recent storms. It is important to know where to turn if you need help. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has a Disaster Response Guide to help walk you through next steps.

Stay in touch

During the legislative interim, you can subscribe to my occasional legislative updates here, and you can also “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page.

If you have questions, ideas, or feedback that you would like to share, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can email me at rep.peter.fischer@house.mn or call (651) 296-5363.

Sincerely,

Peter Fischer