 Dear Neighbors, I sent out an update earlier this week with our community conversation dates, but I thought I would get back on track with our normal Friday updates. I also wanted to update you on the status of the Minnesota House of Representatives. I’m sure you've heard about a tumultuous start to the year as the Minnesota House prepares for session to begin next week. I think it’s important to share with you the gravity of the situation and why my DFL colleagues and I are working to protect the integrity of our institution. In November, Minnesotans voted for equal numbers of Democratic and Republican state representatives. A 67-67 tie in the 134-member Minnesota House of Representatives is extremely rare, but I see it as a golden opportunity for Democrats and Republicans to show Minnesotans that we can govern together on a bipartisan basis. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues have walked away from power sharing negotiations and are now attempting to leverage a two-week plurality to assert two years of control over the State House of Representatives. During a January 6 press conference, Republicans confirmed their plan to try to use a two-week, one-seat advantage to seize control of the House for the next two years, even though Minnesotans voted for equal numbers of DFL and Republican state representatives. Republicans also made clear that they would use their temporary one-vote advantage to unseat Brad Tabke of Shakopee, a duly elected DFL state representative, and order a special election regardless of the fact that he won his election. This in effect disenfranchises the 21,980 voters who cast their ballots in the November 5 election. This has never been done in Minnesota history and sets a very problematic precedent that would create future instability for the House. I’m calling on my Republican colleagues to honor the election results and sign a power-sharing agreement that has been negotiated for over two months. A majority in the Minnesota House requires 68 members, and Republicans have only 67 members. It takes 68 votes to pass a bill, which means we must work together for Minnesota on a bipartisan basis to get things done. Democrats are ready to get to work. I am hopeful that a power-sharing agreement can be adopted before the new legislative session begins on January 14. At this time, my focus is on doing everything within my power to make that happen. I have no interest in denying quorum by not attending floor sessions, but we cannot allow this illegitimate power grab to occur. In the last few months, I have been preparing to be the House Education Finance co-chair. I have been working on legislation, meeting with K-12 education stakeholders, meeting with new members of our committee, and talking with my Republican co-chair. I want to get to work with my Republican colleagues under shared power. This situation can be resolved, but first Republican leadership needs to return to the negotiating table. Earlier this week, Rep. Juile Greene, Senator Ron Latz and I had a chance to sit down with the Edina City Council and city staff to hear about their legislative priorities. I'm excited to partner with the city on their bonding bill and other items that they are looking at pursuing. Just this morning I spoke on a legislative panel at the Association of Metropolitan School Districts breakfast. I also had the opportunity to meet with schoolboard members and the Superintendents from both St. Louis Park and Edina school districts.  Association of Metropolitan School Districts legislative panel I also met with Edina City councillors and St. Louis Park councillors last week to discuss priorities of our community.  Edina Superintendent schools Dr. Stacie Stanley, school board member Cheryl Barry, and Rep. Julie Greene.  St. Louis Park schools Superintendent Dr. Carlondrea Hines, schoolboard members Virginia Mancini and Colin Cox, and Rep. Larry Kraft. Please contact me anytime with questions, ideas, or to let me know how I can be of assistance to you. I can be reached at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889. Thank you for the honor of working for Hopkins, Edina, and St. Louis Park at the State Capitol.  Cheryl Youakim
State Representative |