Dear Neighbors,
This week has been defined by long nights as debates on numerous bills continue, but we are making good progress. Here is an update from the Capitol:
I joined Speaker Hortman to put my final signature on HF 1989 (Transparency in Ticketing Bill) before it heads to the Governor’s desk. I’m so proud that this great bill is making its way past the finish line. Thanks to everyone who worked to make this happen!
Gun Violence Prevention
This week the House passed a slate of bills that will reduce gun violence in Minnesota and save lives. Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States, and DFLers continue to take action to protect Minnesotans from gun violence. Our bills require the safe storage of firearms, require the report of lost or stolen firearms, crack down on straw purchasing, and ban binary triggers (these effectively turn a gun into a fully automatic and have been used to kill first responders). I’m proud to have voted for each one of these critical bills that will save lives. These bills build on the work we did last year that included expanded criminal background checks on gun transfers, extreme risk protection orders to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a risk of harm to themselves and others, violence prevention funding, and more. The Star Tribune covered these important bills, here.
I’m grateful to all of the community members who worked tirelessly to make this legislation happen. Because of their work and activism, Minnesota will experience less gun violence.
House Floor Votes
The House continues to debate and pass supplemental budget and policy bills on the floor, covering important issues such as education, labor, housing, the environment, and more. Our work this year builds on last year’s historic successes and works to improve the lives of working and middle class Minnesotans. Recently, the House has passed:
- A broadly bipartisan bill investing $240 million in our outdoors, clean water, parks and trails, and cultural heritage from the Legacy Amendment fund.
- A K-12 Education bill that boosts resources for the READ Act to improve literacy, moves forward solutions for student wellbeing, and enhances support for teachers.
- An Environment and Natural Resources bill with new investments in tree planting, improving air quality, holding repeat polluters accountable, and tackling solid waste and recycling.
- A Children and Families bill that reforms our child protection system and builds on historic investments in economic support for families, food security, and emergency shelter.
- A Transportation, Labor, and Housing bill that invests in railroad safety and public transit, enhances worker rights and safety, improves housing stability for renters and seniors, and funds homelessness prevention.
We passed a Pensions and Retirement bill with bipartisan support, which prioritizes educators’ retirement security, improves our pension systems’ health, and strengthens the benefits retirees can expect; I have a provision in this bill that is constituent led and allows people caring for family members with disabilities to participate in the State’s Secure Choice retirement program.
My bill to update statutes related to child custody and parenting time passed unanimously. This bill has been years in the making and had significant stakeholder engagement to ensure that the system was fair for parents and remained centered on the best interests of children. You can learn more about the bill here.
Arbor Day Celebration
April 26th was Arbor Day, and DFLers are taking action to protect our environment and honor trees' vital role in our ecosystem. This year we are investing millions in tree planting grants for communities around our state.
Last Thursday on the House floor, members of the House Environment Committee distributed White Oak, Black Cherry, and Cranberry Bush saplings from Schumacher’s Nursery in Heron Lake, Minnesota.
Join a State Board, Council, or Committee!
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State recently released a notice of vacancies for various state boards, councils and committees that are accepting applications. Any Minnesotans interested in public service are encouraged to apply! There are positions for people from all backgrounds and professions, from cosmetologists to engineers.
You can find the full list of vacancies here.
Stay In Touch
Please feel free to contact me directly with your viewpoints or if I can be of assistance. My email is rep.kelly.moller@house.mn.gov and my phone number is 651-296-0141. You can learn about bills that have been introduced here and keep track of the bills I’ve authored here. If you have neighbors, friends, or family who you think would find these updates valuable, please share this with them; they can subscribe here. I also encourage you to follow me on Facebook.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
Sincerely,
Kelly Moller
State Representative