Legislative Update - February 17, 2023

Dear Neighbors

Yesterday, we approved legislation to expand Earned Sick and Safe Time benefits to all Minnesota workers. Many workers are still forced to make an impossible choice between earning a paycheck and taking time off to care for themselves. People who lack access to paid time off are disproportionately in low-wage positions, women, and members of BIPOC communities. With this bill we are prioritizing the health and well-being of every worker. 

The legislation would ensure, at a minimum, one hour of paid Earned Sick and Safe Time for every 30 hours worked, up to at least 48 hours per year. You can learn more about this bill and its importance here.

Addressing Minnesota’s Child Care Crisis

Minnesota is facing a dire child care shortage. Additionally, with low reimbursement rates, child care providers are struggling to offer competitive wages and in some cases, to even keep their doors open.

This week, the House passed a pair of bills with robust investments aimed at stabilizing child care and early learning. HF 13 increases the maximum reimbursement rates for all Child Care Assistance Program providers. HF 150 increases the amount of child care stabilization grants – a key initiative launched during the pandemic – for child care programs. The bill also expands eligibility for early learning scholarships to children age five or younger.

Child care and early learning are both crucial for kids to develop, grow, and learn, but also for family economic security. If a parent can’t afford daycare (if they can even find a daycare spot), they can’t join the workforce. If businesses can’t hire workers, then they can’t grow. I was proud to support these investments to help kids, families, and communities thrive.

Investing in Statewide Projects, Creating Jobs

As Chair of the House Capital Investment Committee, I’m charged with crafting legislation that invests in communities throughout the state - providing resources, improving infrastructure, and creating jobs - including right in our own backyard.

As was the case with many bills last session, divided government resulted in a capital investment bill being unable to cross the finish line, but the work never stopped. I’ve been working with Democrats and Republicans in both chambers to put forward a bill to complete our unfinished work, and this week we rolled out the bill.

I toured Minnesota, visiting hundreds of projects, vetting them for inclusion in this bill. These are projects crucial to communities throughout the state, and inflation causes them to go up in cost the longer we delay this unfinished work. It’s time to complete the work of 2022. Minnesota can’t wait any longer.

You can read more about our bill here. 

District 59 Town Hall

Don’t forget about our upcoming town hall on Tuesday, February 28. We’ll be at the Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center (UROC) from 5:30-7:30pm, and I hope you can join us! 

You can also RSVP on our Facebook event page. I hope to see you there, but regardless of whether you can come, please feel free to contact my office with any questions you may have. You can reach me at rep.fue.lee@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4262, and I will be happy to help.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely, 

Fue Lee

State Representative