Legislative Update - February 5, 2021

Dear Neighbors, 

This week, our work in the House Capital Investment Committee continued the conversation of how we prioritize infrastructure that is sustainable in the face of a changing climate. Minnesota is not only already experiencing the effects of climate change, we’re already paying for it. Our committee heard presentations last week that showed the financial cost of ignoring climate change, as well as the potential solutions available to us should we embrace a cleaner, more resilient infrastructure. This was part of a joint hearing we held with the House Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee. 

As we start the process of crafting a bonding bill, it’s important that we do so in a way that builds a more sustainable, climate-conscious Minnesota. You can watch that joint hearing here.

Legalizing Cannabis

This week, I joined several DFL colleagues in co-authoring legislation to legalize, expunge, and regulate cannabis for adult-use in Minnesota. This is an area where it’s clear Minnesota is falling behind, especially with the most recent election allowing South Dakota to start the process of legalizing cannabis. 

Minnesota’s prohibition on cannabis is doing disproportionate harm to Black, Indigenous, and people of color, with our state ranking 8th for the largest racial disparities in cannabis possession arrests. That’s not a list we want to be near the top of. There’s not only an economic benefit to regulated cannabis, but a moral imperative to address these racial disparities. You can learn more about this bill and follow its process here.

Energy Assistance Program (EAP)

Temperatures are going to drop below zero this weekend, and stay there for the next few days. If an increase in heating bills is adding to economic stress, you may be eligible for Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program. This program, which helped nearly 118,000 Minnesota households pay their heating bills last year, accepts applications until May 31, however funding is limited and administered on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Energy Assistance Program serves households that earn less than $54,357 for a household of four or $28,266 for a household of one. It helps income-qualifying homeowners and renters with heating bills through grants paid directly to utility companies or heating fuel vendors. If you’re eligible, you can apply for assistance with your service provider. Call 800-657-3710, and press 1, or visit the Commerce Department’s Energy Assistance Program webpage.

District 59 Town Hall

Mark your calendar for Thursday, February 11, to join Sen. Champion, Rep. Agbaje, and myself for our virtual town hall at 7pm. We’ll be live on Facebook, discussing our efforts in the legislature and taking questions from the community. I hope you can join us!

Regardless of whether you can make it next week, feel free to reach out with any questions or comments you may have about our work in the Minnesota House, or how I can be of help. I appreciate hearing from you!

Sincerely, 

Fue Lee

State Representative