Legislative Update – June 16, 2023
Dear Neighbors,
On May 22nd, the 2023 Legislative Session came to a close, as we successfully passed the final versions of our budget bills and other priorities. Alongside our DFL Senators, we ended the gridlock and delivered on the promises we made to Minnesotans.
You can read more about our final bills using our nonpartisan Session Daily stories: Veterans and Military Affairs, Housing, Higher Education, Legacy, Agriculture, Early Education, Public Safety and Judiciary, K-12 Education, Jobs and Labor, Environment and Energy, Commerce, State Government and Elections, Human Services, Taxes, Transportation, Cannabis, and Paid Family and Medical Leave.
Taxes Bill
This session the Minnesota House passed the biggest tax cut in state history—targeted to help people who are struggling to make ends meet. I am proud to report that the bill included:
- My provisions on property tax cuts for seniors aging in place and young families.
- Reduction in taxes for our charitable gaming organizations providing 50% more in their coffers for their charitable mission.
- Child tax credits for working families that will reduce child poverty by 1/3 in MN.
- Full Social Security state income exemption for those earning less than $100,000 annually (married/joint) or $78,000 (single/head of household), phasing out at $118,000 for single filers and 140,000 for joint filers.
- And closing loopholes for offshoring or hiding assets because every tax dollar cheated is another dollar out of the pockets of hard-working taxpayers.
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Resolution
On May 11, the House passed H.F. 197, my resolution to Congress to affirm the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the Twenty-Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution!
Our founding documents contain soaring rhetoric on the pursuit of life, liberty, freedom, and equality, but women have long been denied this promise under the very laws provided to protect us. We seek no favor for our sex, merely the opportunity of equal treatment under the highest law of the land, the U.S. Constitution. I am proud to have authored this bill. Now more than ever, with rights and freedoms facing erosion in states across the country, it is time to pass this resolution to expand the dream of freedom and equality under the law to all people regardless of sex.
Public Safety Bill
I voted “Yes” on our Public Safety and Judiciary Budget bill. Support for law enforcement and victims is central to the bill, carrying significant investments for both. The legislation includes law enforcement priorities with a substantial investment in officer recruitment. Victims and survivors will receive the assistance they need through advocacy programs, housing supports, and state-paid sexual assault exams because no assault survivor should bear the indignity of getting a bill for being assaulted.
I am also proud to report the bill contains my provision strengthening our Domestic Violence laws, which I partnered with the Maple Grove Police Department earlier this session. Due to this legislation and closing gaps in our Domestic Violence statute, families in our community and across the state will be safer and have more protection under the law. Thank you to Chief Werner and Officer Kate Damm for their tremendous help on this issue. This session we also passed more funding for prosecutors to bring justice more swiftly, and more money for the Attorney General to go after consumer safety for those causing harm to everyday Minnesotans.
The Public Safety bill also included important gun violence prevention provisions. In response to increasing gun violence, now the leading cause of death for children in the U.S., the bill includes criminal background checks and a red flag law that will help law enforcement have more tools in the toolbox and keep our communities and our neighbors safer. It also makes historic investments in gun violence prevention research grants to determine the next best steps to end gun violence. I was proud to vote in support of this great public safety bill.
Provisions in Other Budget Bills
Our Early Childhood Budget Bill is filled with amazing things! From my Home Visiting funding that teaches “serve & return,” to increased funding for pre-k to get our littles off to a great start in life, funding for childcare and nutrition, and so much more. I was proud to vote “Yes” for our kids!
We passed a strong Health Policy and Finance bill. I am proud to be a champion for children across Minnesota, and glad the bill includes my proposals increasing Home Visiting grants and funding Community Solutions grants in partnership with organizations that uplift families and children. These programs develop healthy children and families while focusing on early childhood development and education.
What’s Next – Summer Bill Prep
Over the summer I will be hard at work strengthening bills on online data privacy to keep kids safe online, an all-inclusive equal rights amendment on the state level ensuring no one in Minnesota faces discrimination under the law, curbing cyberstalking, more domestic violence statute review, electronic will statements, more transparency for prescription drugs, and legislation to keep our local pharmacies and small businesses strong as trusted pillars of our community. Are there issues you want me to investigate, email me! I would love to hear from you!
Stay Connected
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or comments you may have. I can be reached at 651-296-1761 or rep.kristin.bahner@house.mn.gov. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe.
Sincerely,
Kristin Bahner
Your State Representative