Dear Neighbors,
The Minnesota Legislature finished our initial budget work last week. Now that the House and Senate have passed their budget proposals, we’ll begin the process of working together to craft the legislation that’ll fund Minnesota’s government for the biennium. The proposals prioritized in the House budget could look different after negotiations, but I strongly support the work we’ve done to invest in a stronger Minnesota. Here are some highlights of the DFL House Budget:
Transportation & Highway 14
Minnesotans deserve roads and bridges that are safe and efficient, but past legislation hasn’t gone far enough to address the long-term safety risks posed by our aging infrastructure. I’m grateful our Transportation budget makes significant and sustainable investments all over the state, including in the local concerns our community knows all too well. I spoke on behalf of Corridors of Commerce funding, which is likely to fund Highway 14, and the tragic experiences some folks shared during the Mankato Transportation field hearing back in March. You can watch those comments here: |
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Jobs & Energy
Too many Minnesotans have had to choose between work and caring for a baby, loved one, or themselves. Our Jobs & Energy budget offers solutions like Paid Family & Medical Leave and Earned Sick & Safe Time to support our working families.
We’re also setting the ambitious goal of 100% clean energy in Minnesota by 2050. Minnesota is one of the fastest-warming states in the country, and we’re already experiencing profound impacts. Our floor debate showed that some deny climate change, but an overwhelming amount of Minnesotans have asked us to take steps to address it. Other important components of this bill include:
- Wage Theft Prevention & Enforcement
- Net Neutrality
- Solar on Schools
Health and Human Services
All Minnesotans deserve access high quality, affordable health care, and the investments made in our Health and Human Services (HHS) budget puts us on a path to achieve just that.
The HHS budget takes on the skyrocketing cost of health care, and holds Big Pharma accountable. We’ll be addressing ways to address the surge in youth tobacco use, how to protect elders and vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect, ways to leverage the state’s purchasing power to reduce drug prices, and the pathway to building a public health care option in Minnesota called OneCare.
Education
From our youngest learners to our college graduates, the DFL House is ensuring Minnesota’s students are supported no matter what their educational path looks like, and regardless of zip code.
The House DFL E-12 Education budget includes historic new investments that would increase per-pupil funding, address Minnesota’s special education funding shortfall, recruit and retain more teachers of color, and expand students’ ability to earn college credits and develop skills through career and technical programs. The Senate doesn’t invest nearly enough to keep class sizes smaller or to stave of teacher layoffs.
For post-secondary, we’re freezing tuition at Minnesota’s state colleges and universities, and prioritizing the safety and health of students. The next generation of Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to succeed and provide a better future for their families, which is why we’re investing in an education system that delivers on jobs and skills training.
Opening Prayer
I wanted to share a personal “thank you” to Gustavus Adolphus College Chaplain Maggie Falenschek for giving the opening prayer on May 6th, 2019. |
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Keep In Touch!
As we work on Minnesota’s budget and other policy initiatives, I want to hear from you. You can reach me at (651) 296-8634, or at rep.jeff.brand@house.mn if you ever need anything. I look forward to hearing from you.
Your partner in Saint Paul,
Jeff Brand
State Representative, District 19A |
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