| Neighbors,
With a new state budget approved in both the Minnesota House and Senate, we're spending the majority of our time in negotiations trying to find consensus.
We call our House DFL budget the Minnesota Values Budget, because we know that budgets are more than just numbers on a spreadsheet – they are rooted in our most cherished and deeply held values. Minnesotans care about each other, and we want to see one another succeed. We want great schools and affordable health care for our own families, and we want those same things for our neighbors, friends, and family.
Minnesota House Democrats and Senate Republicans have very different approaches to the state budget. Governor Walz and House Democrats got elected by campaigning on making new investments in the people of Minnesota – whether it’s our schools, health care, roads, transit, elders, and working families. The Senate Republican budget protects corporate tax loopholes and cuts basic health care services for hundreds of thousands of our neighbors and friends.
Housing
We passed a Housing Policy bill on the floor last week. There is a growing affordable housing crisis in Minnesota - in our budget we invest in everything from homelessness, rental assistance programs, housing preservation, new development and affordable homeownership. The Housing policy bill will help ensure that everyone has a safe, stable place to live.
Thank you ThaoMee Xiong, Felipe Illescas, Senator Hawj and Hnuchee Vang for all of your hard work around post-conviction relief
Equal Rights Amendment
Last week we passed a resolution memorializing Congress to remove the deadline for passing the Equal Rights Amendment. The Amendment would add gender equality to our Constitution, and affirm our fundamental values of fairness. Women have faced historic and current barriers in achieving equal pay, reproductive choice, and access to economic independence - it's time to add gender equality to our constitution.
The Coalition of Asian American Leaders launched their MinneAsianStories to celebrate API month.
Elder Care
Last week, we approved a package of strong reforms protecting seniors against abuse, neglect, assault, and other maltreatment in Minnesota assisted living facilities. Read more here.
When they move to an assisted living facility, our parents and grandparents deserve the care they need to live with dignity and safety. These protections are long overdue and will improve security and quality of life for our loved ones.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
American Indian women face murder rates that are more than 10 times the national average. Nobody knows exactly how many are victims of violence, and nobody knows exactly how many women go missing across the nation. Last week my colleagues unanimously passed a bill to create a state task force to address the endemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Minnesota. No one should wonder if their loved ones will return when they walk out the door.
I hope you have a great week enjoying our Spring weather. Don't hesitate to reach out with comments and questions as the legislative session wraps up!
Sincerely,
Kaohly Her
State Representative - District 64A |