Legislative Update - Yes to Homes

Dear Neighbors,

Minnesota’s housing crisis is not a situation that’s going to solve itself.  

A shortage of over 100,000 homes has led to 600,000 Minnesotans being cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income in housing. The average age of a first-time home buyer is now 38 years old, a record high. Eviction filings are through the roof. And there isn't a single county in the state where a family earning the median income can afford the median-priced home.

Simply put, housing costs too damn much - whether you are a renter or a prospective homeowner, and we hear the same thing whether you live in urban, suburban, or Greater Minnesota.

Yesterday, we introduced our bipartisan Yes to Homes legislative agenda that aims to unlock the production of more homes - especially the kind of homes that too often are blocked because of over regulation. We put together this agenda with colleagues from both sides of the aisle, and organizations and advocate groups that rarely see eye-to-eye. It’s an incredibly broad coalition, all seeking the same goals:

1. Build more homes
2. Build them faster
3. Build them to be affordable

You can learn more about our agenda in our Star Tribune op-ed, which you can read here.

When this legislature says yes to homes, more Minnesotans can say yes to the American Dream, and we're ready to make it happen!
 

Trump’s Impact on Minnesota’s Budget

Yesterday, we received our state's latest economic forecast. While it shows a budget surplus for our current budget cycle, there are rougher waters ahead with plenty of uncertainty because of Donald Trump's disastrous economic policies.

Since Trump’s taken office, GDP projections are down, inflation is up, and mortgage rates are projected to rise. Worse, his attempts to illegally freeze federal funding and roll back Medicaid - all in service to tax cuts for corporations and billionaires - will harm Minnesota children, seniors, and people with disabilities, not to mention it would crater our state budget.

As we take our next steps to balance our budget, we must do so with working Minnesota families in mind. The path to a stronger economic future is one where we make the cost of housing, child care, and health care more affordable for families.

In short - we need to stop Trump and Republicans from destroying our economy and start creating an economy that works better for everyone.
 

Save The Date - March 25 “Community Conversation”

Rep. Coulter and I will be holding a “Community Conversation” event on Tuesday, March 25, from 6-7:30pm at Atonement Lutheran Church. This’ll be a great opportunity to hear about the latest on our work in the Minnesota House, and to pose any questions, comments, or ideas you may have on how to make our community and state better.

Regardless of whether you can make it that day, always feel free to reach out!

You can contact my office at rep.michael.howard@house.mn.gov or 651-296-7158. You’ll either hear back from me or our Legislative Assistant, Sowmya. 

In partnership,

Michael Howard