Dear Neighbors,
I hope you have all had a good week and aren’t too discouraged by the additional snow. We are about halfway through the legislative session and we are as busy as ever. Here is what I’ve been working on.
Capital Investment/Local Jobs & Projects Bill
The Minnesota House has taken the first bipartisan step in finishing the business of 2022 by approving nearly $1.9 billion in investments for local jobs and projects throughout the state.
The package of legislation we passed addresses hundreds of critical infrastructure projects that have gone unfunded for too long, including funding for the Edina/South Metro public safety center. There are leaky roofs in state buildings, an outdated campus chemistry laboratory, unstable riverbanks, kids taking unsafe routes to schools, housing that needs to be built for our most vulnerable and failing wastewater infrastructure.
These and other projects are crucial to communities throughout the state, and inflation is only causing them to go up higher in cost the longer we delay. This legislation requires a supermajority to pass, meaning the Senate, like the House, will need Republican support to get this funding over the finish line.
Mental Health Day on the Hill
I was honored to speak for Mental Health Day on the Hill this week. Our nation has faced a mental health crisis for the last several years, and it was only exacerbated by the pandemic. I’m working on several bills that would help address aspects of this crisis. Including HF1706 which would provide significant funding to increase access to telehealth services across the state. Read more about our work on these issues here.
Standing up for Victims of Sexual Assault
I was incredibly happy to see, HF1056, which protects victims of sexual assault from paying taxes on their settlements, passed with unanimous support this week in the Minnesota House Judiciary Committee. Thank you to Julie Risser and Artika Roller with the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault for your work to help pass this important legislation!
Upcoming Town Hall
Join me, Rep. Steve Elkins, and Senator Alice Mann for a town hall hosted jointly by the League of Women voters of Edina and Bloomington! It will be held on Tuesday, March 14th from 6-7pm at the Edina Community Lutheran Church, 4113 W. 54th street, Edina, 55424. I hope to see you there!
Stay in Touch
Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.heather.edelson@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4363 with your input or questions. You’re also welcome to follow me or ‘like’ my official Facebook page for additional updates.
Do you want to visit the Capitol or have an issue you want community members to know about to be included in my newsletter? Please email rep.heather.edelson@house.mn.gov.
Thank you for the honor of representing our Edina and Bloomington residents and families in the Minnesota House!
Sincerely,
Heather Edelson
State Representative - District 50A (Edina and Bloomington)