Dear Neighbors, The 2024 Legislative Session began yesterday, and I couldn’t be happier to be back at work representing you in the Minnesota House. While I’ve had a busy interim, I can now return to our legislative schedule of committee hearings and floor debates. As a reminder, in addition my role as Chair of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, I also serve on the following committees: Last year’s historic legislative session was largely spent on crafting our new state budget, which we were constitutionally required to do. This year, you should expect more policy-focused bills, necessary updates and supplements to the budget, and a capital investment bill - otherwise known as a “bonding bill” as it’s typically funded by selling state bonds. The second session in a legislative biennium is typically the shorter of the two, which is why we’re hitting the ground running to build on our accomplishments from last year and continue to make our community and state a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Speaking of our community, I want to provide a heartfelt congratulations to our very own Sen. Erin Murphy on her recent selection as Majority Leader in the Minnesota Senate. She’s stepping up in a trying time with some big shoes to fill, but I know she’ll be great. Here’s the latest from our busy first day, and the week leading up to it: A Capitol Full of AdvocatesThe day started strong with a huge turnout for our rally on the Equal Rights Amendment. It is time Minnesota codifies equal rights into its constitution. The fight has taken decades but this is our moment. I am proud to be the House Chief Author on this bill with Senate Chief Author Mary Kunesh. The Sahan Journal recently published an op-ed from Betty Folliard, a former state representative and founder of ERA Minnesota, who gave an overview of the legislation we’re fighting for this year - which you can read here. |