Dear Neighbors,
The Minnesota Commerce Department encourages households that are struggling with energy bills to apply for the Energy Assistance Program, with up to $2,000 available to eligible households. In addition, as part of the Federal relief funding, there is help for households to pay past due water bills. For more information and to find your local service provider, go to the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program webpage. You can also call 1-800-657-3710 for more information.
This has been a very busy week as we work to pass our omnibus bills on various subjects. We will then meet with the Senate in conference committees to hash out the differences and meet somewhere in the middle. Before that though, here are the House DFL bills and what our vision for the ideal budget that serves all Minnesotans is.
Education
Minnesota students deserve every opportunity to succeed. House DFLers are delivering necessary support for students and educators, while the Senate GOP’s plan funds far less. We need to invest in our students and our communities to thrive. We used to take pride in our nation-leading public education system, we can once more with this education budget. Our bill will also deliver necessary support for students and educators, invest in mental health support, and work to close the cross subsidy gap in our State. Watch my speech on this historic bill here.
Housing
Our housing bill recognizes having a safe and secure place to call home is beneficial to public health, educational achievement, and economic security. We provide opportunities to build more stable communities through home ownership and protections for renters and landlords. It also prioritizes keeping unsheltered Minnesotans safe and provides pathways out of homelessness by investing a historic amount towards preventing homelessness.
Transportation
Our comprehensive transportation bill invests heavily in transit options like BRT and rail, repairs critical road infrastructure, and improves drivers services. The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. House DFLers are tackling the climate crisis by making critical investments in the electric vehicle transition to public transit infrastructure.
Public Safety & Judiciary
We expect to pass our public safety and judiciary bill today. Our public safety system is broken and we need new ideas to fix it. The system should work for everyone, and that includes holding officers accountable when they harm an unarmed Black person. The House DFL bill prioritizes accountability, rebuilds trust, and invests in crime prevention where we need it most. Minnesota has a constitutional duty to provide legal services to all Minnesotans, but the state has continued to fail to meet that obligation. That’s why this bill fully invests in our justice system for the first time in years.
Environment
As Minnesotans, we’re proud of our clean air, water, and soil and the many plants and animals that call our state home. The environment bill will preserve these valuable resources. We are also funding innovative climate solutions and taking action to reduce lead contamination and exposure to dangerous chemicals like PFAS.
State Government
Minnesotans regularly lead the nation in voter turnout, thanks in part to our exceptional elections system. We’re building upon that success by investing in our elections infrastructure, expanding the security and integrity of absentee ballots, and protecting our elections officials. This bill also contains provisions to ban lobbyist social clubs, redesign the flag, and make state statutes conform with the Equal Rights Amendment.
Legacy
Our Legacy bill will make sure we are protecting and enhancing Minnesota's outdoor heritage, clean water, arts and cultural heritage, and parks and trails. These are the investments that make our state such a great place to live. Thanks is owed to you, the voters, for approving the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in 2008!
Veterans and Military Affairs
Too many families have had to deal with the unimaginable grief of losing a loved one to suicide. The House DFL’s Veterans budget includes a variety of solutions to tackle this epidemic and better address veterans mental health difficulties. We also include provisions to end veteran homelessness and provide additional economic security for veterans who need it.
Agriculture
Minnesota should lead the way in resilient, sustainable farming, including new investments in Kernza and other emerging soil and water-friendly crops. House DFLers are delivering new investments in farmers and food producers so we can maintain a strong Ag Economy. We also take measures to improve urban agriculture and to help new farmers and BIPOC Minnesotans get into the industry.
Broadband
Broadband is vital to the success of rural communities, but there are too many unacceptable service gaps throughout the state. For many years, House DFLers have been committed to ensuring all Minnesotans have the high-speed internet access they expect and deserve. Our broadband bill continues this effort and will make sure that you will have fast internet no matter which part of the state you call home.
Keep in touch
If you have friends, neighbors, or co-workers who might be interested in subscribing to this newsletter, they can do so here, and follow me on Facebook here. I’m grateful for the honor of serving you and our community. Please, now more than ever, feel free to reach out to my office.
Rep. Hodan Hassan,
531 State Office Building
(651) 296-0294
www.house.leg.state.mn.us/62A