Hello Friend,
One of the areas where progress has remained frustratingly stagnant in the last few years of divided government has been our response to climate change. There have been some bipartisan compromises, but these have largely been small measures for an issue requiring bold solutions.
The last eight years globally have been the hottest on record, and Minnesota is among the top states currently seeing rapid changes to our climate. Scientists know climate change driven by fossil fuels is impacting our environment, infrastructure, and our health.
Recently, the House DFL majority passed the 100% by 2040 bill, a landmark piece of legislation to help our state address climate change head-on and prepare for a carbon-free future. Action at the state level is urgently needed to help the U.S. meet our climate goals. This legislation would require the state’s utilities to use entirely carbon-free sources for electricity production by 2040. This would put us on track with over 20 other states that have also adopted similar goals.
Not only is this legislation critical to protecting our climate, but it also makes economic sense. Wind power is the cheapest form of electricity, and producing solar energy is cheaper than building new fossil fuel plants or importing fossil fuels from other states. This bill ensures we remove barriers to setting up carbon-free and renewable power sources and invest in jobs right here in Minnesota. I was proud to cast my vote in support of the 100% by 2040 bill on the House floor and will continue working to address and combat climate change this session.
Driver’s Licenses for All
Last Monday was a good day, friends. We passed “Drivers Licenses for All” with the support of law enforcement, unions, chambers, ag, hospitality, an enormous group of advocates, and many more.
One of the best parts of this jobs is celebrating legislative wins with advocates
The legislation improves public safety on Minnesota’s roads by reinstating the ability of undocumented immigrants to take a driver’s exam and obtain a driver’s license. We all benefit from roads occupied by licensed drivers, a fact that’s recognized by the law enforcement community with their support for the bill - including the Shakopee Police Chief and Scott County Sheriff.
I am proud to cast my vote to bring this long overdue bill one step closer to becoming law. During our debate, I spoke the importance of this bill to law enforcement, which you can watch here.
Restore the Vote
On Thursday, we passed yet another long-awaited bill off the House floor. This bill, which I co-authored, would reinstate voting rights to Minnesotans who have committed a felony but have since completed their prison sentence.
Voting is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, and it ensures that citizens have a voice in decisions that impact their lives. Twenty-one states automatically restore voting rights after incarceration ends, including Red States like North Dakota and Blue States like Illinois, but not Minnesota - where the current law disproportionately keeps BIPOC Minnesotans who have served their time from having their voices heard on election day. It’s time for that to change.
Juneteenth
Another exciting bill we passed last Thursday would establish Juneteenth as an official state holiday. Passing this bill alone will not rectify racial disparities and anti-Blackness in our nation. That’s why members of the Minnesota House DFL Majority are committed to investing in Black communities so Black Minnesotans have opportunities to succeed and thrive.
Shakopee at the Capitol!
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the last few years of work at the Minnesota Legislature was conducted remotely. With a return to full-time in-person work also comes the ability for the public to get out from behind the Zoom screen and experience the Capitol!
The first month of session has been uncharacteristically busy, and the weather certainly hasn’t been kind, but this hasn’t stopped a regular stream of Shakopee residents from stopping by to advocate for the issues they care about. The work we do here is at its best when the public has direct input, so thank you for making your voices heard!
Rep. Bakeberg and I were honored to meet with Shakopee students as they visited the Capitol
Chief Tate from SPD and Fireman Tom stopped by to advocate for the needs of their department - always happy to support Shako’s finest
It was great to meet with city and county officials who stopped by to speak to the importance of Highway 169
If you’re stopping by the capitol to fight for what you believe in - or just visiting - please feel free to reach out to my office so we can find a time to chat!
Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn.gov
Jared Margolis, Legislative Assistant | Jared.Margolis@house.mn.gov