Legislative Update: House Begins to Pass Policy Bills

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Dear Neighbors,

The Minnesota House has begun passing major issue policy bill packages, building on the work of our historically productive 2023 session.

On Monday, we passed the Elections Policy Bill, which focuses on improved voter access and election transparency. It targets policy areas where the state can improve voter turnout and ensure that if voting is restricted, voters have a means of redress. We also passed the Public Safety Policy Bill. The bill continues House Democrats’ comprehensive approach to public safety and crime prevention with support for victims, criminal justice reform, policy modernization, and more.

Last week, we passed a higher education policy bill that includes the clean energy sector in our Workforce Development Scholarship Program and expands support in higher education for students who have a disability. We also passed an early education policy bill focused on strengthening our pre-kindergarten and school readiness programs.

We also passed a transportation policy package that improves road safety, adopts safer speed limit recommendations, shortens Driver Vehicle Services wait times, and includes child passenger safety and consumer protections.

Supporting our Veterans/Veterans Day at the Capitol

Last week the House also unanimously passed two policy bills supporting our Departments of Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs.

If you are a veteran or supporter of our men and women in uniform, join us for the Veterans Day at the Capitol next Wednesday, April 17. You are invited to meet with legislators about your priorities, and to participate in the Capitol Rotunda rally. I hope to see you at the Capitol next week.

Survey Results

I appreciate everyone who completed my legislative survey. I was impressed not only by the engagement of our district, but also how your responses reinforced our shared commitment to improving the lives of all Minnesotans. It seems we share many of the same priorities, educating our children, protecting our abundant natural resources, making women’s health care available and accessible, treating workers fairly, building strong families, and more.

We have made incredible progress helping Minnesotans succeed with our historic 2023 budget, but there is still more work ahead. Our investment in childcare helps parents continue to participate in the workforce. Our work to find solutions to the rising cost of healthcare and prescription drugs is helping to make both more affordable. And by listening to all who care about the vexing issue of climate change, we are finding ways to protect our beautiful and bountiful natural resources.

I am incredibly grateful to those who took the time to tell me about your priorities while we continue our effort to make Minnesota the best state in which to live.

Child Tax Credit

If you have not yet filed your taxes, make sure to check if you are eligible for the Child Tax Credit. This credit is among other measures passed in the 2023 legislative session to benefit families, seniors, and working-class Minnesotans.

The Capitol and the Community

Recently, advocates for the Comprehensive Solutions to Mental Health Act (HF3495) visited the Capitol. The measure passed out of Human Services Policy.

The LCCMR Needs Your Input 

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) needs your help in determining priorities for spending from the state’s lottery- generated Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) for the next six years. Currently, the ENRTF provides $80-90 million per year for environmental, natural resources, and outdoor recreation projects across Minnesota.

What issues are most important to you? Make your voice heard by taking this survey now!

Stay in Touch

It is easy to stay connected to news from the State Capitol. 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 call (651) 296-5363 or email any time at rep.peter.fischer@house.mn.gov. You can find my information on my House website. You can also like my Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Peter Fischer