Dear neighbor,
We just wrapped up the third week of the 2024 legislative session. We had another productive week continuing our work on policy bills that aim to improve the lives of working and middle class families.
Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to this week.
At the Capitol
I was happy to join teachers and Education Minnesota at a rally in support of guaranteed, reliable pensions. Teachers are truly a treasure. They not only teach our kiddos but they also nurture them to become productive members of society. As the Chair of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, I am committed to ensuring the pension that we promised them remains intact and we find funding to improve benefits. Much gratitude for all those who choose this calling.
I was happy to meet with constituents from the Minnesota Medical Association, who hosted Physicians’ Day at the Capitol. Doctors are the best advocates for their patients. I am happy to co-author limiting pre-authorization and mid-year modification in drug formulary. Managing a chronic health condition is challenging enough. We must reduce unnecessary barriers to care.
I was also proud to stand with Chief Authors Sen. Grant Hauschild and State Representative Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn to support the Great Start Affordability Act. It would lower childcare costs on a sliding scale basis for families earning up to 150% of the state median income. High costs make childcare a financial burden for too many Minnesota families. It’s time to do something about it.
Children cannot study, parents cannot secure jobs, and families cannot manage their health if they do not have stable housing. That is why we are working hard to ensure families using public assistance are not discriminated against. My bill, HF 3640, prohibiting discrimination based on source of income, was heard in the House Judiciary Committee. We are one step closer to getting this passed. Thank you to Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten for chief authoring this bill in the Senate and to all the leaders and housing champions for rallying around this legislation.
Committee Hearings
In addition to presenting HF 3460, in a joint hearing between the Public Safety Committee and the Children and Families Committee, I presented a bill to help keep our communities safe from gun violence. The legislation, HF 601, would require anyone who owns a firearm that is lost or stolen to report it to law enforcement within 48 hours that it is known to be lost. As a firearm owner, I know the importance of responsible ownership. This is a common-sense bill that would help hold firearm owners accountable, and give our law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe and free of gun violence.
I also chaired a meeting of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement, where we heard an important bill from Rep. Kaela Berg to include Fire Marshalls, Assistant Fire Marshalls, Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and Deputy Chiefs in the Public Employees Police and Fire Plan. These critical fire services workers currently are excluded.
Our police and fire services workers spend their lives protecting our communities, and this bill would help ensure that all of our fire service workers get what they deserve when they retire.
February Economic Forecast
This week, state budget officials released a new economic forecast showing Minnesota’s economy to be growing and our budget outlook to be stable over the long term. The new, improved budget forecast shows Democrats have Minnesota on the right path. The transformational budget lawmakers enacted during the historically productive 2023 Legislative Session has laid the groundwork for enduring prosperity, sustained growth, and a future where every Minnesotan can thrive.
But the work isn’t over, and in our conversations with Minnesotans, we recognize the state budget outlook doesn’t necessarily reflect the reality many working families are facing. Throughout the 2024 session, House DFL lawmakers will continue working side by side with their neighbors and community members together – rooted in the values we all share – to lower the cost of living, deliver economic security for working families, and grow the state’s middle class.
You can take a closer look at the economic forecast here.
Property Tax Refund
With tax season underway, DFLers worked diligently to ensure Minnesota families have access to the tax credits and deductions they've earned, strengthening their financial foundation. We worked to simplify the Property Tax Refund, making sure every renter will receive the refund they deserve, one third of whom are seniors or people with disabilities.
You can qualify for the $204 average refund by visiting www.revenue.state.mn.us/property-tax-refund.
Stay Connected
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas for our work this year, always feel free to reach out to my office at 651-296-8799 or rep.kaohly.her@house.mn.gov, and you’ll hear back from me or my Legislative Assistant, Madisyn. You can also follow along on my official Facebook page, and subscribe to these regular emails if you haven’t already.
Sincerely,
Kaohly Vang Her
State Representative