Legislative Update- February 28, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

It was a very full week this week at the Capitol. I had a few late nights with my final Community Conversation in the series on Tuesday night as well as our SD 46 Town Hall on Wednesday night. A big thank you to everyone who turned out for for both events. We had excellent participation and questions ranging from concerns around federal funds disappearing to how we can better protect our environment. I always look forward to these events when we can gather and connect in person to hear about what’s on your mind. Please feel free to reach out directly anytime to share your input and questions.

In these final weeks before the March 11 special election, my colleagues in the Republican controlled House are spending a lot of time in committees on bills that will not have 68 votes to pass the House floor. It has been frustrating as we could be spending time on bills that actually have a chance of moving forward. This week, we voted down a bill to halt the Blue Line extension in the north metro – an area that none of the bill authors represent. We also heard a bill to alter the ability of the Governor to continue a state of emergency beyond 14 days without a supermajority of votes in the legislative body. This is concerning; politics should not be in the mix when Minnesota may be facing a natural disaster (like a flood or Avian flu), a cybersecurity, or another global pandemic.

One thing DFLers and some Republican legislators have found common ground on is concern over cuts to Medicare and Medicaid by the Trump administration. A small handful of Republican state legislators sent a letter to their congressional counterparts urging them to stand up against these cuts, as they’ll hurt people who rely on these services in all corners of the state. I hope this show of support for public health means they’ll join us this session in strengthening healthcare and MinnesotaCare, rather than cutting it as some have proposed.  

We did pass two bipartisan bills off of the House floor on Thursday dealing with a bonus for state employees who finds innovation and efficiencies within their agencies. We also passed a bill that will start on the path towards getting dark money out of politics.

Committee Work

On Monday, in the Ways and Means Committee, we discussed HF 5, a bill that adds another layer of reports from the Office of the Legislative Auditor that many of us felt was unnecessary. We also heard from the Minnesota Management and Budget about a bill we passed last session to make sure we are looking at inflation on the revenue and expenditure side of the state budget – comparing apples to apples.

On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays I serve on the Taxes Committee. This week, we heard a HF 4, a problematic bill proposing to redirect state investments dedicated to our schools, nursing homes, and folks with disabilities. If this bill passes, the state would have no flexibility to meet a downturn in the economy or if the federal government decides to cut funding to Minnesota. This may sound good on a bumper sticker, but it is not fiscally prudent, could lower our state bond rating, or even cause a special session to remove funds appropriated to our schools or other local municipalities. Another bill we discussed would increase the Research and Development fund by providing handouts to large corporations by $1 billion over four years.

HF 5 was up next; a bill that would also decimate transportation and transit funding in the seven county metro area. Among other items like reducing funding for Meals on Wheels funding, HF 9 rolled back improvements we made in the renewable energy realm, and a bill I support authored by Rep. Norris to discharge the indebtedness from victims of domestic violence.  We finished the week discussing a bill giving a larger tax break to data centers, and a bill to provide an optional property tax abatement to land banked property for affordable housing construction.

In the Education Finance Committee this week we heard a bill to create a statewide Office of Inspector General, a bill to allow advance payments for the education credit, and a bill to correct a grant to a Little Falls school district. Thursday had an amazing group of 15+ student testifiers that asked us to reject HF 29, a bill to repeal Ethnic Studies in Minnesota classrooms and stall the revised social studies standards until 2030. The students were poised and inspirational.

Constituent Visits 

This week was full of visits by organizations and constituents. Rep. Larry Kraft and I met with constituents up at the Capitol with the Minnesota Nurses Association to talk about workplace safety and fair wages.

I also had the opportunity to meet with constituent Payton Jones from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. We discussed how a bonding bill would create more jobs. We also talked about the need to strengthen workplace protections for IBEW workers.

I had the chance to talk to two board members of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). President Lauren Stoel (Lake Wilson, MN) and Reporter Natalie Clemenson (Zumbrota, Minnesota). They filled me in on the opportunities FFA provides for leadership and the incredible agricultural education they have received around ag business, animal science, crop and soils science. Our future is bright with these engaged students.

During Certified Public Accountant day at the Capitol, I had a chance to catch up with CPA and business owner Anthony DeGiulio from Hopkins. I always learn something new when we talk and thank you for sharing the CPA’s legislative agenda.

It was great to catch up with Jerald Stiele from Hopkins Auto Body who came to advocate for the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers. We used to be in the Minnesota Rotary together, small world.

Rabbi Jill Avrin and Kent Rissman from the Joint Religious Legislative Council met with me to discuss the issue areas they are highlighting this year: helping widowed spouses of veterans that currently lose education benefits, expanding the child tax credit, and providing funds to mitigate harm if gambling is expanded. Thank you for your advocacy!

Keep in Touch

As I mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime with what’s on your mind, or if I can provide assistance. You can reach me at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889. You’re also welcome to follow me for additional updates on my Facebook page.

Thank you for the honor of representing our Hopkins, Edina, and St. Louis Park neighbors at the State Capitol.

Enjoy the weekend!

Cheryl Youakim
State Representative