Neighbors, The 2024 legislative session has wrapped up and this year we built on the success of the transformative 2023 session to help Minnesotans thrive. Session SuccessesThe Minnesota House collaborated with Governor Walz and our Senate colleagues to pass all major supplemental budget bills. You can find nonpartisan summaries about the final agreements here: Transportation, Labor and Housing, Energy and Agriculture, Public Safety and Judiciary, Commerce and Cannabis, Jobs and Economic Development, Environment and Natural Resources, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Health, Human Services, and Elections. The Human Service Policy legislation passed unanimously. As chair of the Human Services Policy Committee, I was proud to be the author of the final bill and was pleased the bill passed with such bipartisan support. It shows how we all share goals to help the most vulnerable Minnesotans. Other measures approved this session included a gun violence prevention bill including tougher penalties for straw purchasers and a ban on binary triggers, a bill to increase wages for rideshare drivers while keeping companies operating in Minnesota, a health occupational licensure and scoping bill, legislation improving our child welfare services and addressing racial disparities, and a tenants’ rights package. A New Vision for Minnesota’s Capitol MallThe Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB) has released the Capitol Mall Design Framework for public comment. With public comment and the hard work of the CAAPB the Capitol Mall will receive an upgrade to make the space welcoming to all who live here and visit our state.  Stay in touchIt is easy to stay connected to news from the State Capitol by going to 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. Sincerely, Peter Fischer |