District Perspectives: Progress for Minnesota in 2023-2024
By Dave Pinto
Minnesota House Representative, District 64B
Hello neighbors! As the summer begins to wrap up, I hope that you (like me) are looking forward to the State Fair and the autumn, our state’s most beautiful season.
Another “season” that is coming to a close is the 2023-2024 legislative term. And what a term it was – one of the most productive in Minnesota history. After many years of divided government and gridlock, the DFL-controlled state House and Senate and Governor Walz came together to pass budgets and policies that will have a positive impact for generations.
To provide just a few examples…
Many more people will have an affordable, stable place to live; we passed record investments in affordable housing, an improved renter’s rebate, and property tax cuts.
Our state will be a leader on climate action; we enacted a new 100% clean energy goal, enhanced our energy grid, and invested in rebates for electric vehicles and home energy.
Our environment will be cleaner; we banned PFAS “forever” chemicals – among other historic protections – and invested in lead-pipe replacement, tree planting, improved air quality, clean drinking water, and environmental justice.
Those who work will receive fair compensation, with family-sustaining benefits; we passed Paid Family & Medical Leave, Earned Sick & Safe Time, safety protections at workplaces, and stronger efforts to combat wage theft.
Seniors will have more money in their pockets; we limited taxes on Social Security income for the vast majority. In fact, everyone will have more money; we also passed the biggest tax cut in state history.
Our public infrastructure will be in much better shape, and more useful; we enacted a record funding bill and made long-term, dedicated investments in roads, bridges, and transit.
Our precious democracy will be stronger; we provided greater transparency in campaign funding, restored the vote to disenfranchised Minnesotans, protected election workers, and removed barriers for eligible voters.
Children will be healthier, better-fed, and safer because of our nation-leading child tax credit (projected to cut child poverty by a third!), universal school meals, and major reforms to the child welfare system.
Speaking of young people, they will receive the #GreatStartMN that they deserve. We made major investments in early care and learning; finally tied K-12 funding to inflation; invested in literacy, student mental health, and counseling; and strengthened post-secondary pathways, including free college for many students (North Star Promise) and a boost to the State Grant program.
Minnesotans will pay less for health care and many other goods and services; we put greater limits on Big Pharma, predatory lenders, and insurance companies, including a low cap on co-pays for many prescription drugs. And we blocked online ticket sellers and other businesses from adding hidden “junk fees” to your purchases.
Minnesotans will be safer from gun violence, because we finally passed my bills for criminal background checks and red-flag orders. In fact, everyone in our state will be safer, and have greater access to justice, because of the criminal legal reforms that we passed, and the increased resources for local law enforcement, crime victims, public defenders, and the judicial branch.
And finally, Minnesotans will be able to live in greater freedom as their full, authentic selves; we guaranteed reproductive rights, banned “conversion therapy,” legalized adult-use cannabis, and became a trans refuge state (a beacon in the Midwest).
And there’s even more.
This term was exceptional in many ways. But our state’s history has long taught that the kinds of investments described above pay off, both in health and wealth. (Even after these investments, the budget outlook remains strong, with substantial reserves.) At a critical moment for our country, we can be proud to show the way yet again.
This term, especially, I’ve been grateful to serve you in that work. #EverybodyIn.