Dear Neighbors,
Despite the chaos at the federal level I’ve been hard at work in St. Paul making sure our shared values are being represented at the Capitol. Fighting for what’s right is more important than ever, and I refuse to let a destructive president tear down the amazing things we’ve built in Minnesota. Here is some of what’s happened over the past couple of weeks.
P.S. be sure to follow my Facebook page for more updates throughout the week!
I recently visited with some local Cub Scouts and chatted with them about government and getting involved in your community. Great to see so many future leaders!
Upcoming Town Hall
Join Reps. Lillie, Sen. Tou Xiong and I for the SD44 Town Hall where you can join us in a discussion about the 2025 session and what's on the horizon for Minnesota. You can find more details and sign up here.
Retirement
I retired from my work at Face to Face last Friday. It has been a great honor and deeply rewarding to commit over 17 years serving youth who are homeless or vulnerable. Many of the youth I helped serve are in the LGBTQ+ community that have been subject to violence and hate in our communities and from their families. Society overall has marginalized and dehumanized them. Helping connect youth to support and resources that can make a real difference in their lives has filled me with joy. I will miss the work, but look forward to my retirement, and of course, continuing to serve our community at the Capitol!
Fighting to Keep PFAS out of our Community
In 2023 DFLers passed the strongest PFAS prevention bill in the nation, and I was proud to support that effort as a member of the Environment Committee that year, and now as the DFL lead for that committee. This week, with Republicans in control of House Committees, they heard a bill that would exempt industrial products from Minnesota’s PFAS bans. During committee I asked the MPCA if this would allow PFAS in nearly all residential products – the answer was a clear “yes.” We mustn't allow these dangerous chemicals to continue to pollute our communities.
I voted No on this bill to roll back PFAS prevention measures because our communities' health, environment, and infrastructure are more important than corporate profits.
Democrats Defeat Shoot First Bill
This week I helped to vote down HF 13, Republicans’ Shoot First bill which would remove Minnesota’s long-standing duty to retreat to prevent the escalation of violence. If passed, this would lead to even more gun violence victims and more loss of life.
Currently, 27 states have Shoot First laws, and every one of them has a higher rate of gun deaths than Minnesota, with the average rate of gun deaths being more than twice Minnesota’s. Shoot First laws are also associated with heavy racial bias. A study in Florida found that white shooters killing Black victims is deemed justifiable five times more frequently than when the situation is reversed.
Over the past two years, House DFLers took action to reduce gun violence by requiring criminal background checks and creating Extreme Risk Protection Orders. These policies are already making a difference. In fact, Minnesota has one of the lowest firearm mortality rates in the US, in large part to our sensible and safety centered gun violence prevention laws.
Trump Cuts put Minnesota’s Budget at Risk
This week a new state economic forecast confirmed that Donald Trump’s policies are already moving Minnesota’s economy and state budget in the wrong direction and making life more expensive for hardworking Minnesotans.
Last November, the state budget forecast showed a $3.7 billion surplus over the current budget cycle, a $616 million positive balance in the upcoming biennium, and our highest budget reserve fund ever. But as of today, Minnesota’s projected positive balance has shrunk to $456 million.
I am frustrated that Instead of prices coming down as our President promised on the campaign trail, we are seeing the future forecasts showing inflation going up and staying higher longer. This is because of the actions that Trump and Republicans in Congress have done in their first couple of weeks in control. They are also on the verge of enacting a sweeping tax cut for corporations and the ultra-wealthy, and they’re going to pay for it by slashing federal investments in health care for children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. This will have dire consequences for the people of Minnesota and our state budget. The proposed impacts right now will be in the billions of dollars.
This latest budget forecast means that the Legislature must be laser-focused on a state budget that helps working and middle-class Minnesotans, not corporations and billionaires who are doing better than ever.
As your representative, I’m committed to fighting for an economy where everyone can get ahead. I will continue to oppose Republican bills to lower taxes for the rich, put barriers to healthcare access, and repeal policies that help Minnesotans thrive like Paid Family and Medical Leave.
Vote Against Anti-Trans Bill
The GOP brought a hateful and dangerously invasive bill to the House floor that would ban trans kids from playing sports. The biggest threat to women and girls isn’t transgender girls who play sports, it's predatory men. HF 12 is dangerous and discriminatory legislation which scapegoats a small and vulnerable group of Minnesotans, while opening our kids up to invasive "transvestigations." I'm proud I voted against HF 12. Watch a lifelong student athlete speak to the cruelty of this bill.
Ramadan
Ramadan Mubarak, everyone! I hope that this month brings peace and joy to you and your loved ones.
Keep 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.
Sincerely,
Peter Fischer