Dear Neighbors,
This May, I want to wish everyone a Happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We’re proud of the contributions Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made to our state, and this month, we celebrate their cultural heritage and history.
Here at the Capitol, we’re putting in long hours on the House Floor as we advance a variety of budget measures and policy solutions to continue our state on the right path. In these final weeks of the legislative session, my House DFL colleagues and I are committed to working effectively to strengthen our communities and create opportunities for all Minnesotans to build a better life.
Delivering for Middle-Class Minnesotans
While lawmakers set a full two-year state budget in 2023, we have the capacity now to use some of our budget surplus to address pressing challenges facing our state. Here are some nonpartisan recaps of the supplemental budget bills we’ve passed off the House floor:
- A broadly bipartisan bill investing $240 million in our outdoors, clean water, parks and trails, and cultural heritage from Legacy Amendment funding.
- A K-12 Education bill that boosts resources for the READ Act to improve literacy, deliver new mental health resources for students, and enhance support for teachers.
- An Environment and Natural Resources bill with new investments in tree planting, improving air quality, holding repeat polluters accountable, and tackling solid waste and recycling.
- A Children and Families bill that reforms our child protection system and builds on historic investments in economic support for families, food security, and emergency shelter.
- A Transportation, Labor, and Housing bill that invests in railroad safety and public transit, enhances worker rights and safety, improves housing stability for renters and seniors, and funds homelessness prevention.
- A Pensions and Retirement bill with bipartisan support, which prioritizes educators’ retirement security, improves our pension systems’ health, and strengthens the benefits retirees can expect.
Leading the Way on Clean Energy
Minnesota is leading the way toward a cleaner, greener future! MPR News recently highlighted a report showing Minnesota is outpacing the country in carbon-free electricity. According to new findings – contained in a report from Clean Energy Economy Minnesota and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy – last year, zero-carbon sources generated 54% of Minnesota’s power, utilities have reduced emissions by 10%, and renewable energy provides one-third of Minnesota’s electricity generation.
There’s more work to do though to reach our goals, including removing roadblocks within the permitting process. House Democrats are taking action on climate change with the urgency required, and we will keep working to accelerate our transition to carbon-free energy sources.
Preventing Gun Violence
Last year, Democrats delivered two overdue solutions to prevent gun violence: expanded criminal background checks and proving for Extreme Risk Protection Orders: a.k.a. a “red flag law.” We know our work to keep Minnesotans safe isn’t over though, and the House has passed three important bills to help prevent senseless tragedies as a result of gun violence:
HF 601 – Requires lost or stolen firearms to be reported promptly to law enforcement. Lost and stolen guns are often used in crimes or end up in the hands of those who may cause harm to themselves or others. This bill will assist in the recovery of guns and help prevent gun trafficking so weapons don’t end up in the hands of those ineligible to possess them.
HF 4300 – Requires guns to be stored safely. Heartbreakingly, gun violence is the leading cause of death among children. This is an important step to prevent access by children and help stop tragic accidents. Here are my remarks from the House Floor on this important measure.
HF 2609 – This bill has two main components. First, it improves Minnesota’s law prohibiting the straw purchase of guns, which occurs when an individual buys a firearm for someone ineligible to have one. The bill increases penalties for straw purchasing and expands the circumstances under which the crime can be prosecuted. Second, the bill bans so-called “binary triggers” which modify guns to more closely mimic fully automatic weapons. The shooter in the February Burnsville tragedy used one of these devices, and these weapons of war have no place in our communities.
Apply to Serve on a Board, Commission, or Council
The Office of the Secretary of State is seeking Minnesotans to serve on a variety of state councils, advisory committees, boards, and task forces. Over 800 positions are currently open in a wide range of areas including behavioral health, plumbing, dental services, early childhood, forest resources, and so many others. Check out the current listings here and if you’d like to share your expertise with the state, apply for an open spot!
Please keep in touch with your questions, comments, and ideas. You can contact me by email at rep.jamie.long@house.mn.gov; by phone at 651-296-5375; and by postal mail at 459 State Office Building, Saint Paul, MN 55155.
It’s an honor to represent you.
Sincerely,
Rep. Jamie Long
Majority Leader, Minnesota House of Representatives