 Dear Neighbors, In the Minnesota House, we're developing a new two-year state budget and beginning to pass larger policy and budget bills off of the House Floor and into conference committee with their respective Senate bills. With an evenly split House between Democrats and Republicans, this process requires collaboration and compromise; each side will have to give something up. Despite these challenges, we recognize our essential duty to Minnesota residents to pass a state budget. My DFL colleagues and I remain focused on investing and empowering working Minnesotans and their families. On Monday this week, we returned from the legislative spring break and honored Rep. Mary Murphy, the House’s longest-serving woman as well as the state’s second-longest-serving legislator stretching to 46 years. An avid reader and former social studies teacher, Rep. Murphy knew the value of a quality education and statewide public library system. She’s also the author of the legislation that created our state muffin, the blueberry muffin, as a part of an elementary school class project. Rep. Murphy — who died on Dec. 25, 2024, at age 85 — received tributes from several of her former House colleagues and a proclamation from Gov. Tim Walz. It was an honor to pass a bill that would rename the state’s library construction grants program in Rep. Murphy’s honor by a 132-0 vote.  The rest of the week I was engaged in bipartisan negotiations with Republican Chair Ron Kresha to craft the House’s version of an education budget bill. I’m pleased to share that after many long, but productive meetings, our Education Finance bill is done and will be posted by the end of the week. Early next week, the bill will be heard in Education Finance, Taxes, and Ways & Means before it goes to the floor. It is not the bill I would have written if we were in the majority, but it is our duty to get a bill into conference committee with the Senate so that we can continue funding our schools. Stay tuned.  Also this week, we began the process of passing the House’s budget bills. As is the nature of a tied House, these are bipartisan compromises, where neither side gets everything they want. So far, I’m proud to say we’re working together well, having already passed our Agriculture budget, and did the same for our Legacy, Judiciary and Public Safety budgets on Friday. Committee WorkIn addition to serving as the Co-Chair of the House Education Finance Committee, I am on the House Tax Committee and the House Ways & Means Committee. Both of these committees continue to meet. In the Tax Committee, we will continue hearing any bills that have tax implications. The Education Finance bill must go through this committee because certain provisions interact with property taxes school boards can levy. One of the responsibilities of the Ways & Means Committee is to hear finance bills before they reach the House floor. I love sitting on both committees. Ways & Means is particularly interesting because you get to do a bit more of a deep dive on the budget bills from committees that you do not sit on before they reach the House floor. State of the StateThis week, Governor Walz delivered his State of the State Address. While chaos and cuts dominate the headlines out of Washington, here in Minnesota, we’re choosing a different path—one grounded in compassion, progress, and real results. As the Administration in D.C. and their allies continue dismantling the very programs and policies meant to help everyday people, we are standing strong with our Executive branch and allies in our state to ensure Minnesotans are protected. Every person deserves security, opportunity, and freedom—and that’s why we’re fighting to protect the investments we’ve made in schools, health care, clean energy, public safety, and caring for our kids and seniors. In times like these, Minnesota is fortunate to have steady, values-driven leadership. It was wonderful to have my good friend Shawn McGerr join me at the State of the State address on Wednesday evening. It is always fun to share this ceremonial piece of our democracy, as well as our beautiful Capitol.  Constituents VisitThank you to constituent Ashley from St. Louis Park and her friend Julie who came to discuss supporting the first amendment as well as a bill to repeal a statute that requires a business to set aside their first amendment rights in order to be considered for a state contract.  Keep in TouchPlease continue to contact me with your stories, thoughts, input, and questions anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889. It’s an honor to serve our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina neighbors in St. Paul. Enjoy your Sunday!  Cheryl Youakim
State Representative |