Legislative Update- January 17, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this email finds you well. It was a busy week and I’d like to give you an update on what’s going on at the Capitol and in our community.

I started the week off on Tuesday at the Edina Morningside Rotary with Rep Julie Greene, hearing from Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt. The Sheriff and her department are doing incredible work keeping us safe and connecting with the community!

On Tuesday, I also had the chance to meeting with folks from the folks at Education Evolving & Minneapolis Foundation. I love doing a deep dive into education policy, data collection, & the work both groups are doing to meet our students needs.

Wednesday, I joined Rep. Greene and other legislators on a tour of the Uptown Planned Parenthood clinic. We heard about all the medical services they provide in our communities, including, medical abortions, birth control, vasectomies, cancer screening, annual exams, vaccines, and more.

I had a chance to meet with St. Louis Park city staff to discuss upcoming legislation they are considering. And I appreciated connecting with Vail Place, a Hopkins mental health non-profit, to discuss a bill I will be authoring for them to expand their clubhouse model across the state.

Wednesday, I met with the Friends of the Boundary Waters to talk about their legislative platform. I was also able to engage in a productive conversation with the Land Stewardship Project & IATP (pictured below) about how our farm to school program has helped build the market for local farmers and provide students healthier food. I finished the day with three more meetings: an inspiring visit with Hopkins parent who’s advocating for more staff in our schools; a chat with Dr. Yelena Bailey at the Professional Educator Licensing Board regarding our teacher workforce ;and a briefing meeting on the fiscal note process with the Legislative Budget Office.

On Thursday evening, Principal Paddok and School Board Members Mancini and Cox gave Rep. Kraft and me a tour of the St. Louis Park High School’s recent renovations. The newly expanded cafeteria, the Link, the open library, and improved career center are well crafted. What a wonderful, enriching environment for learning!

Thursday morning, Rep. Larry Kraft invited me to Methodist hospital to talk about the DWI bill he is working on in response to the tragedy at Park Tavern. Thank you RN Melissa Frity and hospital President Jennifer Myster for empowering survivors with their stories and how you are supporting your staff.

My virtual meetings on Thursday included the folks from Youthprise - Afterschool Advance to discuss potential legislation. I also had a great meeting with Sabrina Scott, an incredible Hopkins High School student in the Propel program. She had great questions on political engagement, the legislature, and partisanship.

Friday morning began by attending the Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition (LAC) breakfast. This breakfast always feels like coming home. Being a member of the LAC was my first experience with political advocacy. Thank you to Principal Eromosele for the warm welcome and to Superintendent Mhiripiri-Reed for the send off. The student ProStart team made us breakfast, the cheesy sausage and grits were amazing! The LAC members did a good job advocating for more school funding and it was great to here from the student members of the LAC team. And of course, always love to hear teachers present. They bring so much passion and energy to their jobs.

Fridays are also the days I meet with education stakeholders. Sometimes we meet in one large group and at other times it is with the groups individually. Today I had my every other week meeting with the BELL group that is made up of organizations representing school boards, administrators, teachers, social workers, counselors, and other education groups from across the state that play a vital part in educating our students. I also worked on legislation and of course, answered constituent emails.

Capitol Update

On the first day of session (January 14th), in accordance with Minnesota law and our state’s Constitution, Secretary of State Simon was the lawful presiding officer, and continues to be the lawful presiding officer until the House is duly organized. Secretary Simon declared that 67 members were present and that this number did not constitute a quorum so he proceeded to adjourned the session for the day. House Republicans then acted unlawfully when they attempted to organize the Minnesota House, elect a Speaker, and take other actions in the absence of a quorum. I am very disappointed that the GOP is putting nonpartisan staff in this difficult position by requiring their assistance on the GOP’s unconstitutional operations. 

These actions taken were said to be wrong by the Secretary of State in his press statement on January 14, 2025. Further, the Secretary of State sent to both DFL and GOP leadership on January 10, 2025 a letter where he clarifies that a quorum requires 68 as set forth in our State Constitution and previously upheld in law. This matter has now been sent to the Supreme Court for adjudication. 

One of the unlawful actions Republicans have taken, that I’m especially concerned about would funnel your taxpayer dollars to pay for the GOP’s legal defense. That isn’t right. And so it seems that we find ourselves in a sort of a soft coup, and as a legislator who has served in the House for over 10 years, I can’t say I’ve ever experienced anything quite like this.

Negotiations on a power-sharing agreement continue. DFL-Leader Hortman’s recent offer amended the power-sharing agreement to provide Republicans with control of the House for the first three weeks of session, including the speakership and control of committees, with the power-sharing agreement resuming when the House returns to an anticipated 67-67 tie. In addition, it would refer election contests to the Ethics Committee and create an Oversight Committee with Republican control for two years, a sole Republican chair, and a permanent one-seat majority on that committee. I believe this is a more than reasonable solution and should be accepted so that all members of the Minnesota House can get back to focusing on the critical issues facing the state.

Just today, DFLers held a press conference to announce how we are prioritizing Minnesotans and lowering costs for them. You can read more about these initiatives here. 

One of the unlawful actions Republicans have taken I’m especially concerned about would funnel your taxpayer dollars to pay for the GOP’s legal defense. That isn’t right.

And so it seems we find ourselves in a sort of a soft coup, and as a legislator who has served in the house for over 10 years, I can’t say I’ve ever experienced anything quite like this.

Negotiations on a power-sharing agreement continue. DFL-Leader Hortman’s recent offer amended the power-sharing agreement to provide Republicans with control of the House for the first three weeks of session, including the speakership and control of committees, with the power-sharing agreement resuming when the House returns to an anticipated 67-67 tie. In addition, it would refer election contests to the Ethics Committee and create an Oversight Committee with Republican control for two years, a sole Republican chair, and a permanent one-seat majority on that committee. I believe this is a more than reasonable solution and should be accepted so that all members of the Minnesota House can get back to focusing on the critical issues facing the state.

Community Conversations

Mark your calendars for my six upcoming community conversations that we be held at our local libraries. Find the date and time that works for you and I hope to see you there!

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out with questions, ideas, and input on how we can continue to move our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina neighbors. I can be reached at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or at 651-296-9889.

Thank you for the honor of representing you in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Cheryl Youakim
State Representative