Legislative Update - April 23, 2019

Neighbors,

Last week's break from the legislative session was just the time I needed to reconnect with constituents and come back to the Capitol ready to fight for our community, our neighbors, and ALL Minnesotans.

It's going to be a big week. Today we are debating and voting on our E-12 Education Budget and the Jobs and Energy budgets, and we'll be voting later this week on our Health and Human Services budget.

Remember you can always follow along and watch our floor sessions live here.

Education
I firmly believe that all Minnesotans deserve a great education, no matter where they live or where they're from. Our E-12 budget invests in every student in every public school. We know that our kids start learning long before kindergarten — and that Minnesota suffers from one of the largest achievement gaps in the country. We’re investing in our youngest learners to make sure every child gets off to a great start.

Our budget includes investments to support our students inside and outside the classroom. We know when the experts in the schools - teachers, counselors, nurses, social workers and support staff - have sufficient resources our children and families will succeed.

Jobs

While people at the top continue to do well, Minnesota’s working families continue to feel squeezed. House DFLers will work to ensure Minnesotans have access to jobs with wages and benefits that can support a family. The DFL budget is focused on improving the lives of all Minnesotans by improving economic security for families, and I hope we can get Republican support in the Senate.

Energy

Minnesota is one of the fastest-warming states in the country and we are already experiencing impacts of climate change. We need to act now to save our planet. Minnesotans are rightfully demanding that we take action for our children, and for generations to come after us.

Minnesota’s clean energy economy is expanding rapidly and outpacing other states. It makes sense for our environment and for our economy to lead the transition to clean energy, creating jobs while protecting our state’s natural resources and beauty. That's what our energy budget does.

Constituent Meetings
The meetings, conversations and people I've met have made a great impact on my work.

I reflected on my short time at the Legislature with Pahoua Yang Hoffman, executive director of the Citizens League, which champions the role of Minnesotans to govern for the common good.


I met with Tom Whaley of the Saint Paul Saints. I think I can claim myself as resident expert of independent minor league baseball after this meeting. I can’t wait for my turn to throw out the first pitch.


I met with an inspiring group of women (and one man) of the City of St. Paul Women’s Employee Resource Network (WERN). Thank you for the thoughtful questions and the engaging conversation. Each time I share my story I learn new things about myself.


Being on the Pension Commission this year was a great way to reconnect with my roots in retirement plans and account administration. Last weekend I got to take a PERA tour.

I appreciated the chance to visit the Health Partners dental clinic on Como Avenue. Over 32% of their dental patients are poverty stricken. Their integrated healthcare approach strives to provide the best and most comprehensive care. I look forward to learning more about their work.


Had a wonderful time touring the Goodwill Easter Seal headquarter in my district. Goodwill is more than a retailer providing affordable goods to people. They are a social enterprise that provides pre-employment services, workforce training, and employment and career support. What impressed me most is that they are also a recycling facility.


Spent time with Mom’s Demand Action talking through strategy and next steps.


I headed over to Macalester College to learn about issues important to students and how we can work on these issues together.