Legislative Update - Delivering for Minnesotans

Hello Friends, 

Thank you to everyone that came out for our Town Hall this weekend. We had great conversations about our work at the legislature and the road ahead for the second half of the legislative session. There’s a lot going on, so it’s always great to touch base on our progress.

Regardless of whether you were able to join us last weekend, always feel free to reach out with any questions or comments you may have about our work in St. Paul. You can also follow along on my official Facebook page and share and subscribe to these legislative updates if you haven’t already. 

Also had a great MLB Opening Day with Twins President Dave St Peter, Viking’s Lester Bagley, Rep. Garofalo, KFAN’s Charch, and other awesome folks at Twin Cities Dunkers.

Here’s an update from the State Capitol:

Delivering for Minnesotans

We’re three months into the legislative session, and the effectiveness of the DFL Trifecta is really starting to show results. Just last week, legislative leaders and Governor Walz laid the framework for our state budget - a deal typically struck in the final weeks of session under divided government. 

It’s just the latest in this long list of headlines showing us delivering for Minnesotans:

Every committee I serve on this year is a finance committee, meaning we’ve been putting together our budgets in each topic area based on the framework set by my legislative leaders, and I have legislation I’ve worked on incorporated into other committee budgets as well. 

The path forward for these bills include amending and passing them out of committee, passing them off the House Floor, and then working with our Senate colleagues on their respective budgets to craft final, consensus budget bills. 

Stay tuned for more info on our budget proposals as we pass them off the House Floor next month! 

Protecting Health Care in Minnesota 

Last week was bookended by two very important bills that, when boiled down, basically do the same thing - they don’t let the laws of other states interfere with what legally happens in Minnesota. 

Last Monday, we passed the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, which protects the fundamental rights of Minnesota health care providers and patients from legal attacks and criminal penalties imposed by anti-abortion extremists in other states. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, we must ensure everyone has equitable access to the legal reproductive health care that’s available in Minnesota.

Then, after Republicans filibustered into the early hours of this morning, we passed the “Trans Refuge” bill last Friday, which safeguards gender-affirming care in our state. Minnesota prides itself on providing world-class health care, but as anti-trans legislation appears in numerous states, including our neighbors, Minnesota must also become a safe harbor for those seeking gender-affirming care.

Gender-affirming care is recognized as safe, evidence-based, and medically necessary health care by numerous professional medical associations. I was proud to co-author and vote for this legislation. 

In Minnesota, we know not to play politics with the health care people need.

Shako Corner

There were more great visits from our community this week! It was Disability Services Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, and Minnesotans packed the building to make their voices heard. Thank you to Shakopee residents who visited that day.

We must pay solid wages and benefits to those who care for our neighbors. We will make generational change this session for all!

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