Neighbors, We are down to our last ten days of the legislative session and are spending long days on the House floor passing legislation and approving conference committee reports. I am pleased to report the House and Senate conference committee has reached an agreement on the Education Policy legislation. The legislation includes a prohibition on banning books, enhances the Read Act, and requires schools to adopt a cell phone policy. I will outline more specifics of the legislation in next week’s update. Other Significant Legislation Passed Tuesday, the Minnesota House passed House File 5299, the House’s Higher Education Supplemental Budget. The legislation adds on last year’s record funding increase for Minnesota’s colleges and universities that froze tuition at Minnesota State for two years, fully funded the University of Minnesota’s systemwide safety and security request and provided free college to students with a household income under $80,000, among other investments. This year, the bulk of new investment went toward the Kids on Campus Initiative. The provision invests $500,000 in the Minnesota State system to establish Head Start Programs on college campuses, providing access to affordable childcare to students. Late Monday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 3431, the State and Local Government and Veterans Supplemental budget, extending the work of 2023 to improve the function, accessibility, and modernization of our state government services. It modifies evaluation procedures for agency IT projects and streamlines cybersecurity incident reporting. The Veterans Finance and Policy Bill is included in the legislation and it contains Governor Walz’s no-cost recommendations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Military Affairs. The measure includes additional provisions providing the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs with an additional financial management tool, increases the agency’s ability to better compete for and match federal funding for armory projects, and rededicates a bridge in the south metro. Video of the floor debate can be found here. The House also approved House File 3436, the House Transportation Committee’s package of policy proposals. The bill capitalizes on state and federal funds to deliver a generational investment in transportation statewide. On Monday, the Minnesota House passed SF 5335/HF 5280 the Human Services Supplemental Budget. The legislation follows up on the state’s budget by taking meaningful action to improve services for Minnesotans with disabilities and ensure quality treatment for individuals who are struggling with substance use disorders. Significant investments include $21.6 million for expanding access to state-operated treatment programs, $19.1 million for reducing recidivism and preventing overdoses, $7.7 million for long-term services and supports, and $4.8 million for Personal Care Assistant services provided by a parent or spouse. The Human Services Policy conference committee has reached a compromise on the legislation, and you can read the Session Daily story here. Statehood DayThis Saturday, May 11, 2024, Minnesota celebrates 166 years of statehood. The Minnesota State Flag and Seal approved by the State Emblems Redesign Commission early this year will become the official state emblems. This is a culmination of months gathering input from and engaging with Minnesotans to find consensus on a flag and seal representing the best of all of us.   Slow mow SummerResearchers from the University of Minnesota Bee Lab have modified the popular No Mow May campaign due to additional research on best practices for pollinators and lawn health. “Slow Mow Summer” takes the sentiment of “No Mow May” and expands it to the entire growing season. Many bee species do not even emerge from hibernation until June or July. Mowing after lawn flowers bloom instead of before is the main goal of “Slow Mow Summer.” You can learn more about how best to help native pollinators, like Rusty Patched Bumblebee, survive and thrive here.  _______________________________________________________ Let’s show appreciation to our hard-working teachers this week – and every week!  Stay connected with the legislatureThe Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. You can track bills of interest with the MyBills feature and for general House of Representatives’ information, click on the website. Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so call or email me any time. You can also connect with me on Facebook here. It is an honor to represent you at the State Capitol. Sincerely, Laurie Pryor State Representative |