 The dust has settled, I’ve caught up on sleep, and it’s clear these last two years have been some of the most productive in state history. A Minnesota Miracle 2.0! By working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I’m incredibly satisfied with what I’ve been able to bring home to St. Cloud, and the accomplishments that benefit our entire state! Here’s your latest update on our work in the Minnesota House: Big Picture - What Passed?Last year the Legislature passed our major two-year budget bills, and this year we built on that progress by passing small supplemental budgets alongside more substantial policy changes in major committee areas. If you’re looking for a deep-dive on what we brought over the finish line these last few weeks, you can check out these nonpartisan summaries on our final bills: Transportation, Labor and Housing, Energy and Agriculture, Public Safety and Judiciary, Commerce and Cannabis, Jobs and Economic Development, Environment and Natural Resources, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Human Services, Health, and Elections. These are all great bills, but as a member of the Higher Education and Labor committees, I’m especially proud of our efforts there. We also passed a gun violence prevention bill that includes tougher penalties for straw purchasers and a ban on binary triggers, a bill that will increase wages for rideshare drivers while keeping Uber and Lyft operating in Minnesota, a health occupational licensure and scoping bill, legislation improving our child welfare services and addressing racial disparities, and a tenants’ rights package. What Didn’t?The biggest bill that didn’t make it to the Governor's desk was our Capital Investment bill. This bill had a tough road ahead from Day 1 this session, as it requires a super-majority of votes, and we just passed our largest Capital Investment package in state history in 2023. Last year’s Capital Investment bill, which I helped craft as a member of the committee, delivered $7 million for the Great River Children’s Museum, $3.9 million to the City of St. Cloud for updates to the regional airport, $5 million to cover design for the St. Cloud Medical School - CentraCare Health System Campus, and $7.5 million to Stearns County for town line road improvements. Other notable bills that didn’t make it into law were the legalization of Sports Betting, the Equal Rights Amendment, and Rank-Choice Voting, to name a few high-profile bills that I know many in our community were following. It’s important to note that even though these bills did not pass, that doesn’t mean progress wasn’t made. Sports Betting, for example, came extremely close to the finish line, with a deal finally being brokered that stakeholders found agreeable. Keep an eye out for more on these issues and others next session. “From the Capitol” Radio InterviewLast week, I sat down with Kelly Cordes at WJON to discuss the latest legislative news. This week's episode covers the end of session - what passed, what didn't - and the road ahead for our work. You can catch our conversation here. |