Legislative Update - Saturday’s Shakopee Town Hall

Hello Friends, 

Quick reminder that we’ll be holding a Town Hall, this Saturday, March 25, from 10-11am. We’re accomplishing a lot this session, and I want to make sure we have a time for our community to touch base on questions and concerns about our work in the Minnesota Legislature. RSVP below to receive additional information on the event.

RSVP for Saturday’s Town Hall

I look forward to seeing you!

Here’s an update on our work in St. Paul:

Emergency Rental Assistance 

Last Thursday, in the face of skyrocketing evictions and rent increases, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed House File 1440, which delivers $50 million in emergency rental assistance to the state’s Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program.

Through much of the pandemic, federal rental assistance allowed Minnesotans to maintain housing stability. Many of those funds dried up in January of 2022, but the economic challenges facing low-income families did not. 

As a result, Minnesota experienced a skyrocketing eviction rate last year with more than 20,000 filed. Counties across the state have seen 100% increases in eviction filings over pre-pandemic levels. This legislation is just one aspect of our efforts to improve housing outcomes for all Minnesotans.

Senate Republicans Block Infrastructure Projects

This legislative session has been notable for its lack of political gridlock. We’re getting things done, often with bipartisan support, and Minnesotans are benefiting. One area that isn’t immune to this however is capital investment.

Capital Investment bills are typically funded by selling state bonds, and doing that requires a supermajority in both chambers. In my last legislative update, I was happy to share that the House met this supermajority threshold (and then some) for a bill that would deliver $1.9 billion in local jobs and infrastructure projects throughout the state, including $8.26 million to stabilize the Minnesota Riverbank in Shakopee. Though many Republicans voted for this bill in the House, Senate Republicans decided to block this crucial legislation. 

Delaying these projects causes them to go up in cost, and in Shakopee’s case, could jeopardize existing infrastructure. It’s not OK to play political games with these projects that communities across the state are depending on, and because these projects are so important, we’re going back to the drawing board to find the most efficient way to fund these projects for our state. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on the future of this and other projects. 

Sovereignty Day

On the heels of unanimously passing the Minnesota Indian Preservation Act, last Monday we set aside time to hold a “Sovereignty Day” at the Capital - our second since 2019. This was an educational event for House and Senate legislators on tribal history and culture, sovereignty, and the interplay between federal, state, and tribal law.

This event included the leaders of the eleven federally recognized sovereign tribal nations in Minnesota, and was a great opportunity and reminder to hear their perspectives as we create legislation here in Saint Paul.

Shako Corner

Another great week of Shakopee residents coming to the Capitol! I especially want to highlight the Shakopee High School student’s from Mr. Stone’s class who spent the day with me. It was a blast having them!

Always feel free to stop by and advocate for what you care about. I look forward to seeing more of you in St. Paul!

Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn.gov

Jared Margolis, Legislative Assistant | Jared.Margolis@house.mn.gov