Dear neighbors,
It’s the last week of the 2019 legislative session, and I’m fighting hard for a budget that benefits the people of Minneapolis and our entire state!
Moving Forward
Now that the House and Senate have both approved their budgets, members from both bodies are meeting in conference committees to iron out differences between the two proposals. Five members from the House and five from the Senate are appointed to each of the ten conference committees. It’s their responsibility to compare a section of the budget, hear testimony from Minnesotans, and compromise on a bill that will be sent back to both chambers for a vote.
Nationally-respected meteorologist Paul Douglas shared the latest information on how climate change is impacting Minnesota in one of the first public hearings of the Jobs and Energy Conference Committee. You can listen to his testimony here.
Jobs and Energy Conference Committee
I was honored to be appointed to the Energy and Jobs Conference Committee! There’s a lot at stake in this budget. The version that we passed in the House would help Minnesota build a thriving clean energy economy with 100 percent clean energy by 2050, cleaner cars and buildings, and community solar gardens. The jobs portion of the House budget includes paid family and medical leave and earned sick and safe time – policies that give workers time to take care of themselves and their loved ones – and strengthens protections against wage theft.
The Senate version, however, doesn’t meet our needs on climate change or economic inequality. We have an opportunity to grow our clean energy economy and re-establish Minnesota as a national leader, but Senate Republicans aren’t taking climate change seriously. Their budget also doesn’t include paid family leave or earned sick and safe time.
There was an amazing rally for 100 percent clean energy at the Capitol on Monday. Organizing matters, and this movement is grassroots led!
I’ll continue fighting for a prosperous future for all Minnesotans and generations to come, and I hope that you’ll join me.
In addition to my work on the conference committee, I’m also continuing to push on some of my other priorities from the session, like fully funding our work ahead of the 2020 census. There’s no good reason for us not to do this. The Star Tribune published an article with some of my thoughts on preparing for the census and the state of budget negotiations. You can read it here.
As always, feel free to share your feedback, ideas, and questions with me! You can reach me at rep.jamie.long@house.mn or 651-296-5375.
Sincerely,
Jamie Long
State Representative