Our work continues as we discuss bills and advance them through the committee process to the House Floor. Minnesotans expect us to use this time diligently during the legislative session to get our work done and deliver the results our communities are counting on. Here’s a look at what’s moving in the Minnesota House: Helping Minnesota Families and Children Thrive
Childcare Access & Affordability
Child care and early learning are both crucial for kids to develop, grow, and learn, but also for family economic security. If a parent can’t afford daycare (if they can even find a daycare spot), they can’t join the workforce. If businesses can’t hire workers, then they can’t grow. On Monday this week, the House passed a pair of bills with robust investments aimed at stabilizing child care and early learning. HF 13 increases the maximum reimbursement rates for all Child Care Assistance Program providers, which since 2022 has served 2,588 children and 1,371 families in Dakota County. HF 150 increases the amount of child care stabilization grants – a key initiative launched during the pandemic – for child care programs. The bill also expands eligibility for early learning scholarships to children age five or younger. A lack of access to affordable, accessible child care for working families is one of the most pressing issues I’ve heard about since joining the Legislature. Additionally, with low reimbursement rates, child care providers are struggling to offer competitive wages and in some cases, to even keep their doors open.  Mental Health Resources for Students A significant bill of mine moved last week, which relates to school-linked mental health. Without the mental health treatment they need, kids struggle to learn and cope in the classroom. School-linked mental health partnerships with schools have been around since 2007, but funding hasn’t kept up to meet the needs of our kids who need it most. This is a positive development and I’ll continue to advocate for its final passage into law.  Minnesota Zoo Day at the CapitolThis week the Environment and Natural Resources Committee welcomed Minnesota Zoo Zookeeper Donnie Cook with a resident chinchilla, a rodent native to the Andes mountains in South America.  Our treasured Minnesota Zoo is the fifth largest zoo in the country; strong investments ensure it remains available and we can enhance access to all Minnesotans. I’m pleased to share legislation to update the Zoo’s animal hospital has been included in a major public works infrastructure bill that rolled out this week. Stay tuned for more details on that as the bill is vetted. Keep in TouchI hope to see you at Dunn Bros tomorrow! Even if you can’t make it, please don’t hesitate to reach out with comments, ideas, and questions. It’s an honor to serve our Apple Valley community at the State Capitol. Sincerely, Robert Bierman
State Representative |