Legislative UpdateDear Neighbors, It's been another busy week here at the Capitol. This week, I introduced House File 1346, a bill that is deeply personal to me. As someone who grew up experiencing abuse, I know firsthand how critical it is to have well-trained mandatory reporters who can recognize and respond to signs of maltreatment. Right now, Minnesota’s mandated reporter training doesn’t go far enough. Only 2-3 minutes in the state’s 45-minute training focus on recognizing signs of abuse—that’s unacceptable. HF 1346 ensures better training, led by experts, so that teachers, healthcare professionals, and childcare workers can be better equipped to protect vulnerable children. HF 1346 passed unanimously out of committee. Click here to watch HF 1346 introduction.  House File 3 was heard in Ways and Means which is it's last stop before making it's way to the house floor for a vote from the body. Click here to watch HF 3 in Ways and Means.  On Monday we heard HF 14 on the House floor. Back in 2017, we saw the warning signs- Southwest Light Rail was going to be delayed, overpriced, and inefficient. Now, even its former supporters admit it’s a "dumpster fire" that has drained taxpayer dollars. Instead of blindly throwing more money at this failing project, we need fiscal responsibility. That’s why I’m supporting a bill to pause Southwest Light Rail and conduct a real study. If it proves to be a good investment, fine. But if not, we’ll save billions of taxpayer dollars. Click here to watch my speech from the floor.  Yesterday we heard HF 21 on the House floor. Under HF 21, a governor would be able to declare a public emergency, but that emergency would automatically expire after 14 days unless a supermajority (3/5) of both the House and Senate voted to extend the declaration. This ensures that no governor can extend executive emergency powers every 30 days, as we experienced during the covid-related emergency Governor Walz enacted between March 2020 - July 2021. HF 21 also restores the balance between the Executive and Legislative branches of government. VisitorsMelissa DeBilzan was here from Safe Passage for Children to testify on behalf of HF 1346.  |