Beloved Communities,
With only about a month and a half left of session we are entering the final stretch. The next couple of weeks will be occupied with long floor sessions as we work to pass comprehensive policy bills. As always our legislation is focusing on improving the lives of working and middle class Minnesotans as we fight to make Minnesota a better place to live.
I had a labor filled couple of weeks as I met with workers and labor allies, unions are the foundation of our communities! I was glad to meet with constituent groups at the Capitol from:
- IBEW State Council
- Teamsters
- AFSCME Council 5
House Floor Votes
This week the House began passing policy bill packages in major issue areas, building on the work of our historically productive 2023 session and improving the lives of Minnesotans. The House passed two policy bills supporting our Departments of Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs, which passed with unanimous support!
We also passed a higher education policy bill that includes the clean energy sector in our Workforce Development Scholarship Program and expands support in higher education for students who have a disability. We also passed an early education policy bill focused on strengthening our pre-kindergarten and school readiness program. Finally, we passed a transportation policy package that improves road safety, DVS wait times, child passenger safety, and consumer protections.
Land Valuation Tax
In the Taxes Committee, which I chair, we heard a bill that would allow local governments to tax land without consideration of improvements or decay. This will be very beneficial as we can use it to disincentivize corporate landlords from sitting on empty properties that should be used for housing or economic development. Read more here.
Transgender Day of Visibility
March 31st was Transgender Day of Visibility. I’m proud that Minnesota is a state that accepts all people for who they are, becoming a refuge for trans individuals from across the country. I will always fight to make Minnesota a safe and welcoming state where everyone can live as their authentic self.
Building a Clean Energy Future
In 2023, lawmakers enacted a goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. To achieve this benchmark – one of the most ambitious in the nation – we need wind and solar farms to generate clean energy and transmission lines to carry that energy to the electric grid. Today, about 51% of Minnesota’s electricity comes from carbon-free sources, but according to research, to reach our 100% goal, Minnesota must double the current pace at which new solar and wind energy sources are being developed.
That’s why I support the Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act. This legislation – which has earned broad support from Minnesota utilities, clean energy advocates, and our partners in labor – will eliminate redundancies, increase transparency, and make Minnesota’s permitting process more efficient and consistent. The Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act will help us meet this critical moment and remove barriers to the clean energy future all Minnesotans deserve.
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.
In solidarity,
Aisha Gomez
651-296-7152
rep.aisha.gomez@house.mn.gov