Legislative Update: Back to Work

Dear Neighbors, 

This Tuesday I was sworn-in to office, beginning my third term as your state representative. As I took the oath, I again reflected on this truly awesome responsibility to serve my community in the Minnesota House. In these next two years it will be my honor to work closely with you to deliver on priorities that break down barriers, improve lives, and strengthen communities. 

There is no time to waste. We are ready to get to work! 

Taking on Minnesota’s Housing Crisis

This session, I’m excited to share that I will serve as Chair of the Housing Finance and Policy Committee in the Minnesota House. I am deeply honored to step into this role at such a pivotal time on an issue of utmost importance for Minnesotans. 

There is no place like home, yet this basic necessity is unattainable and unaffordable for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans and it's getting worse. The good news? Together, we have the power to change course. We’re ready to meet this moment with a Minnesota House DFL Majority that is ready to take bold action to solve our housing crisis. 

You can stay up to date on our committee’s work here. In addition to Housing, I’ll also be serving on the House’s Rules and Legislative Administration, Taxes, and Ways and Means committees.  

Priorities to Move Minnesota Forward

Minnesotans made their voices loud and clear last November, and in doing so delivered a Minnesota House, Senate, and Governorship under DFL control. I’m incredibly proud of the bipartisan accomplishments we were able to deliver these past few years, but too often Republicans stood in the way of the meaningful changes Minnesotans deserve.

This week, our House and Senate leaders unveiled the legislative priorities to move Minnesota forward. My colleagues and I are ready to work hard, work together, and work quickly to deliver on the issues that matter most to Minnesotans.

I should note that this isn’t a comprehensive list of everything we’ll take on this session, but a snapshot of some of the issues where we’ll be hitting the ground running - some of which, like the PRO Act, have already passed their first committee hearing.  

Stay Connected

Things are already moving fast at the Minnesota Legislature, and I want to make sure you have the tools and resources available to you to stay in the loop. For my work, you can subscribe to these regular legislative updates if you haven’t already, here.

I also encourage you to contact my office with any questions or comments you may have at (651) 296-7158 or rep.michael.howard@house.mn.gov. My legislative assistant Abdullahi or I will be happy to help you out. Also feel free to follow along on my official Facebook page.  

For broader legislative information, you can access the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services for nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. 

In partnership,  

Michael Howard