Dear neighbors,
As a particularly busy week at the Capitol comes to a close, I’d like to thank all of you who have shared your support, stories, and perspectives with me. I love talking with folks about the issues that they’re passionate about, and it’s an honor to represent such an engaged and dedicated community.
I recently met with members of the League of Women Voters, the art community, and the Moms Demand Action crew. I also got a chance to speak with some students who came to the Capitol to fight for a Green New Deal. You can watch a video of the students and I talking about the urgent need to address climate change here.
Equal Rights Amendment
Last Thursday was a momentous night as the House passed the Equal Rights Amendment (HF 13). If it’s approved by Minnesota voters, the ERA would grant all people equal rights regardless of their gender.
I spoke that night about my mom, who wanted to be a geology major but was told that women didn’t become geologists. She became a Spanish major instead, and later went on to be an accountant. When she started at Price Waterhouse, there were only four women partners out of more than 1,000. She eventually left to take care of me because the firm didn’t support parental leave.
Today, the science and engineering workforce is only 29% women, and 42% of women say they experience gender discrimination at work. We’ve made progress, but not nearly enough. My mom was a true feminist, and I cast my vote for her.
Cleaner Cars and Cleaner Buildings
I presented two bills that I’m super excited about in the Energy and Climate Committee yesterday! One would help encourage electric vehicles by offering rebates to individuals and businesses that choose an electric car (HF 2233). The plan also invests in public charging stations.
The other allows cities to adopt a stretch code for more efficient buildings (HF 2396). A stretch code would allow a city like Minneapolis to opt in to higher efficiency standards for large buildings. With buildings accounting for 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, this can make a big dent in fighting climate change.
Audio of the public hearing is available here.
Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act
The latest episode of the Minnesota Values Podcast is up! My co-host Rep. Liz Olson and the incredible Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn are talking investment in early childhood. Rep. Kotyza-Witthuhn is the author of the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Act (HF 1), which would invest in prenatal care, expand home visiting programs, and increase support for early learning and development. Tune in and subscribe here.
I always appreciate hearing from constituents, so please feel free to reach out with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jamie