Legislative Update - Protecting Tenant Rights

Dear Neighbors, 

It was a long one on the House floor last night, with much of the debate focused on the rights of Minnesota’s renters. All Minnesotans deserve to feel safe and respected in their home, regardless of whether they rent or own, and the Landlord-Tenant Policy bill we passed last night includes provisions to safeguard tenants’ right to organize, protect tenant survivors of domestic violence, clarify tenant’s rights to emergency services, prohibit rental discrimination based on public assistance, and more.

This package of legislation is a great product of the conversations we had in the Housing Committee this year, and builds on the historic investments made last session. The Sahan Journal covered the bill and last night’s debate, which you can read here. 

Our Housing Supplemental Budget

Last night’s bill wasn’t the only work being done on Housing this week. In our Housing Committee, we held our first hearing on our supplemental budget. While most of our work is centered around policy this year, there are many issue areas that’ll produce a smaller budget to supplement the work we did last year on our two-year state budget. 

By comparison, last year we passed a record-breaking $1 billion investment in Housing. This year. The supplemental investments our committee is putting forward totals $10 million. While not as eye-catching of a number, the investments we’re working on are still impactful - retroactively expunging rental evictions, simplifying our emergency rental assistance programs, and a grant program to support recapitalization of distressed buildings for affordable housing just to name a few.

This legislation has a couple more committee stops before we bring it to the House floor, but you can read more about this bill as it currently stands here. 

Free Admission to Minnesota’s State Parks - April 27

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 27 for the latest Free Park Day in Minnesota! All of Minnesota’s beautiful state parks will have free admission, and so far the weather looks like it could be shaping up for a great day!

Minnesota state parks are open year-round, and there's a state park within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. With a free day in each season, it's a great opportunity to get out there and explore someplace new! Whether you stay for the whole weekend or just spend a few hours outside, you'll make memories that will last a lifetime. So be sure to get out and visit our wonderful parks!

You can find more info on Free Park Day here. 

Join a State Board, Council, or Committee!

There’s so much more to an effective state government besides our work in the Minnesota House, including opportunities for you to be directly involved! 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 Connected

There’s only a month left in this year’s legislative session, and I have no doubt the coming weeks will fly by quickly. In the meantime, please continue to reach out with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas you have for our work in the Minnesota House. Always feel free to email me at rep.michael.howard@house.mn.gov or give my office a call at 651-296-7158.

You can also stay up to date by following my official Facebook page, subscribing to these regular email updates if you haven’t already, and checking my legislative webpage for the latest information from my office. 

In partnership, 

Michael Howard