Legislative Update- April 24, 2023

Dear Neighbors,

It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of April. We’ve had a whirlwind of activity at the Capitol, vetting, amending, crafting, and our budget bills at the Legislature. In the House, we’ve passed our Higher Education, Legacy, Environment and Clean Energy, Housing, Veterans, Elections, State and Local Government,  Agriculture, Transportation, and Early Childhood budget bills.

I’m especially grateful for the investments within the House’s K-12 education bill. Our well-rounded package includes investments to improve literacy so students can catch up from the pandemic, get the mental health supports they need, and have a chance to take free Emergency Medical Services training in high school to help expand our future EMS workforce.

We’re also proposing to fully closing the special education funding shortfall or “cross-subsidy” by 2027, which will have a significant impact on ISD #196, as our district has one of the highest shortfalls in the state. We also propose having future public education funds indexed to inflation, so schools have reliable, ongoing funding.

As of Friday, the Senate has passed its version of the budget in areas of State Government, Veterans & Military Affairs, Environment, Natural Resources & Climate & Energy, Higher Education, Legacy, and Agriculture. Our next step will be to appoint legislators from each chamber to meet in a conference committee to finalize budget bills and find a compromise on what’s included in each bill.

We’re moving at a swift pace to finish our work on time (as Minnesotans rightfully expect) as we wrap up these last four weeks until we’re constitutionally required to adjourn on May 22.

Treetop Trail Opening July 28

You may have seen the exciting news last week announcing the Minnesota Zoo’s Treetop Trail opening on July 28! It will be the world’s longest elevated trail (1.25 miles), which brings guests 32 feet above the Zoo to see the animals and enjoy the views from the treetops. You can visit the Zoo’s website for more information. It’s been an honor to work alongside the Zoo, our Apple Valley community, and my colleagues in the House and Senate to secure investments to keep the animals cared for and enhance accessibility for all. 

Rendering provided by the MN Zoo

Keep in Touch

Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.john.huot@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4306 with questions, input, or to let me know how I can help. 

Thank you for the honor of representing our Rosemount, Apple Valley, and Eagan residents at the State Capitol.

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

John