Dear Neighbors,
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, and a happy holiday. The Legislature returned on Tuesday from our Spring Easter/Passover recess, and I have several updates to share:
Earth Day
Over the years, climate change prevention has increasingly become a top concern to many Minnesotans. As a member of the Energy & Climate Committee, I couldn’t agree with these Minnesotans more. During the session break, it was great to celebrate Earth Day on Monday and return to nature to be reminded of what we're trying to protect. For this reason, I was honored to vote ‘yes’ on the 100% clean energy bill that was included in the Jobs and Energy bill, which passed on Tuesday. You can read more about the entire budget bill here, which also includes exciting proposals such as paid and medical family leave, earned sick and safe time, and wage theft protection for workers. |
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Health Care Bill Passes
On Wednesday, the house passed a new Health and Human Services budget, which would help ensure that all Minnesotans can access the high-quality, affordable health care they deserve. Thousands of Minnesotans struggle with insurance they can barely afford, that doesn’t provide the coverage they need because of high premiums and high deductibles. To address this, Minnesotans who purchase their health insurance through a private plan in the individual market would receive a 20 percent direct premium discount.
My bill to continue and expand funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics has also been incorporated into the final House budget bill.
Education
Every child deserves to get a great start and an opportunity to get a world-class education, no matter where they live in the state. That’s why I am very excited that the House DFL E-12 education budget bill was approved by a floor vote on Tuesday. Here’s a brief overview of the bill:
The House DFL E-12 education budget includes new investments that would:
- Increase the per-pupil funding formula by 3% in 2020 and by another 2% in 2021.
- Keep students, teachers, and staff safer while in school.
- Address Minnesota’s special education funding shortfall.
- Protect access to voluntary Pre-K programs for 4,000 children.
- Enable schools to hire additional student support staff, such as licensed counselors, psychologists, social workers, and nurses.
- Expand students’ ability to earn college credits and develop skills through career and technical education programs.
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| On Tuesday last week, I made my long overdue trip to speak with the forward-thinking students at the School of Environmental Studies. They're the future of climate change leaders, and they taught me so much. Thank you to Principal Trainor for coordinating this opportunity. |
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| Big thanks to Brett Melton and Jennifer Heineman for allowing me to sit in on their AP classes at AVHS last Wednesday, and to Christopher Lee and James Lynch for showing me around the FabLab and sharing the secrets behind their world-class STEM program. They even made me a keychain with their laser cutter! |
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Town Hall on Saturday
As a reminder, this Saturday we will be having a District 57 town hall meeting. |
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Survey
As the legislature takes on consequential issues affecting all of us, I want to hear about what's important to you and your family. Please let me know by visiting the website below and filling out my survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019mn57a
Sincerely,
Robert Bierman
State Representative |
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