Legislative Update- May 7, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you well. Our work continues in the Legislature. As we near the final days of session, conference committees made up of House and Senate members are in full swing. Many of the committees are looking at policy language that are the same or similar in the House and Senate bills as we await joint budget targets. Once we have joint budget targets for the various conference committees, we will be able to move on to the provisions that cost money. I have been busy participating in the Taxes Conference Committee in my role as the House Property Taxes Chair. We have met every day this week at 1 p.m., met today at 2:00 p.m.,  and then we're back at it again every day next week.

As we approach the end of the legislative session, I am advocating for a final series of budget bills that prioritizes students, families, small businesses, and communities so we can recover from the pandemic and thrive in the year ahead. Per our constitution, we need to adjourn on May 17 this year. If we adjourn without setting the two-year state budget, we will need to come back for a special session to do so. I still have faith that we can find willing partners in the Senate to get a budget set that will bring relief and fiscal stability for Minnesotans.

COVID-19 Restrictions to be Lifted

For fourteen months, Governor Walz and our public health professionals have worked hard to provide the best guidance to keep everyone safe during the pandemic.

Yesterday, Governor Tim Walz announced a three-step timeline to end nearly all state COVID-19 restrictions by May 28, and end the statewide masking requirement once 70 percent of Minnesotans aged 16 years and older get their vaccine, or by July 1. The state is on track to vaccinate 70 percent of Minnesotans by the end of June.

Governor Walz’s announcement was welcome, but we must remember many Minnesotans have been hurting for years and the pandemic has exacerbated their pain. Easing restrictions will not solve all our problems, but it is a great start to helping our families and businesses recover.

I encourage anyone who hasn’t received a vaccine yet to do so. It’s safe, effective, and the best way we can move forward to help our economy rebound and for Minnesotans to return to participating in activities we enjoy with our family and friends.

At the Capitol, I will continue working with my colleagues to improve the lives of all Minnesotans by establishing stable housing, affordable health care, access to quality education from early childhood to post-secondary, and other opportunities.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month where we celebrate generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and our Minnesota communities and are instrumental in our collective future.

Check out this list put together by the YWCA to learn the names and stories of 20 AAPI women to know and celebrate.

Honoring Missing and Murdered

Indigenous Women

Indigenous lawmakers and community members were at the Minnesota Capitol this week to honor and raise awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women and their families. Indigenous women make up just one percent of Minnesota’s population, but make up eight percent of the women and girls who were murdered in the state between 2010 and 2018. The House recently passed Representative Heather Keeler’s legislation to help end this crisis by creating a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Office. I was proud to vote for it, and I hope the Minnesota Senate will act this session so we can get this done. 

Teacher Appreciation Week

We owe our teachers a debt of gratitude- not only this week, but each and every week. Thank you to the incredible educators from our communities for the care and compassion they show our students and families every day. And, for the incredible work they did under historic circumstances brought on by the pandemic.

Two of my favorite teachers, my husband Jacques and our son Gannon. We currently have seven teachers in our extended family who are doing amazing work in Minnesota. FUN FACT: When you include the retired teachers from our family, Gannon is a fourth generation teacher on both sides!

Nurses Appreciation Week

May 6-12, 2021 is this year's National Nurses Week. Nurses have sacrificed their health, their family time, and their peace of mind during this pandemic. I am so grateful for these front line health workers. A special shout-out to my Aunt Mary Funk who spent decades as a dedicated nurse!

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime with questions or input at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn or 651-296-9889 as we move through this next phase of session. Remote operations in the House continue, so email is the quickest way to reach me. Thank you for the honor of serving our Hopkins and St. Louis Park neighbors at the State Capitol.

A wonderful Mother's Day weekend to all those women out their raising the future generation!

Be well,

Cheryl Youakim

State Representative