Legislative Update - March 31, 2023

Dear Neighbors, 

Today, the City of Minneapolis announced that an agreement has been reached with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights that will bring about transformational changes to the city’s police department to address race-based policing and improve public safety.

This has been a long time coming, but after months of negotiations we’re on the right track. Today’s news will bring about the changes and accountability our community has been asking for. This is a crucial step, and I thank the city and state officials for their tireless efforts in reaching this agreement. 

Our city is safer when those sworn to protect it do so in a system that is free of racism, misogyny, and disrespect. This agreement brings us closer to rebuilding the necessary trust between residents and the Minneapolis Police Department. 

You can read more about this agreement here. 

Free State Park Days

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has announced the 2023 Free Park Days, with the first of four days on April 22. You can find a park near you here, and mark your calendars for this year’s free days. 

• Saturday, April 22
• Saturday, June 10
• Saturday, September 9
• Friday, November 24

Building Our Budget 

The bulk of the legislative work this week took place in committees as Chairs unveiled our two-year state budget proposals. Each finance committee in the House and Senate presented their respective budget bills to committee members, and have spent this week hearing testimony, amending the legislation, and voting the bills out of committee.

The legislature will break next week in recognition of Easter and Passover, and when we return we’ll start passing these budget bills off the House floor. This is similar to the process we undergo every budget year, with the main difference being unity under the DFL Trifecta allowing us to present budget bills with nearly two months left in the session. 

As Chair of the Capital Investment Committee, the bills my committee produces aren’t part of the two-year state budget, but we will continue to work alongside this process to ensure a robust Capital Investment Bill is passed this session. 

Outside of my responsibilities as a committee chair, numerous pieces of legislation I’ve worked on have been included in our budget proposals, especially in our Environment and Natural Resources Budget bill, where I’ve authored provisions prioritizing clean air. 

Stay Connected

The legislature will meet on Monday and Tuesday next week before taking a break and returning on April 11. We’ll be coming back for our final leg of the legislative session, and I’m looking forward to all that we’ll be able to accomplish together. 

If you have any questions about the bills we’re working on, please feel free to contact my office. You can contact 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