Beloved Community,
These last two weeks we have worked night and day to pass historic budgets which fulfill the promises we made at the beginning of session. Every single one of our budgets is designed to lift up the most needy. Here’s what we’ve accomplished this week.
Taxes
- The Tax bill I authored passed off the House floor last night! This is one of the most, if not the most, progressive tax bill in Minnesota history. With this bill we are investing in our communities by making sure those who benefited the most from the pandemic pay their fair share.
- Our tax bill contains help for seniors, low-income Minnesotans, and families. It makes significant changes to our system redistributing wealth from the ultra wealthy to the Minnesotans who benefited least from the recent economic recovery.
- It also reforms the renter’s property tax refund so renters get the refund they need and deserve.
- This tax bill is a moral document reflecting the values of our state. I am proud of the work that we have done on this bill and am excited for what comes next.
- Watch my speech on this great bill here.
Public Safety
- We know we need alternatives to policing and ways to prevent crime, not react to it. That’s why our public safety budget makes record investments in community violence prevention. Overall this bill contains the most restorative justice reform in a single bill that we’ve ever seen.
- This bill restores police accountability by barring extremists from becoming officers, banning no-knock warrants, and implementing POST Board misconduct improvements.
- The bill has a huge investment in probation and other rehabilitation measures to help people get back on their feet again. Through several critical measures like reformulating our probation services and improving incarceration programs that provide treatment, education, and employment skills, this bill focuses on evidence-based approaches to rehabilitation.
- Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. we can’t allow that to continue. Our bill contains red flag laws and improved background checks, making all of our children safer.
- Minnesota’s juvenile justice system continues to fail our youth. This bill will begin the process of creating a better, more equitable system.
Judiciary and Civil Law
- Liberty and justice for all is a central principle of our country, but too often people won’t receive justice if they don’t have enough wealth. Our judiciary budget will make our justice system more equal.
- We fully fund public defenders and civil legal services so you can get the help you need no matter your income.
- We also increase funding for the Department of Human Rights so we can better track and stop hate crimes.
Health
- Health care should be simple, affordable, and accessible to everyone. Our health budget makes transformational investments that make health care more affordable for everyone.
- We begin the process of creating an option for people to sign up for MNsure so everyone has access to an affordable and reliable plan. We also make investments to study a transition to universal health care.
Keep In Touch
As always, feel free to reach out with any feedback or questions you have for me! I always appreciate working in partnership with you. You can also follow me on my Facebook page. Everything is moving quickly right now so be sure to stay connected.
In solidarity,
Aisha Gomez
651-296-7152
rep.aisha.gomez@house.mn.gov