State Budget Progress at the Capitol

Dear Neighbors,

Last week, the House and Senate gaveled in for a special session to continue our work wrapping up the two-year state budget. We’re making good progress in completing each major area of the budget ahead of July 1, despite the time consuming House Republican filibustering that took place last week. Here’s a look at what we’ve passed and what remains:

Transportation: On Wednesday, the House advanced the transportation budget, which invests in our transportation infrastructure across the state by funding improvements for road safety, transit development and services, bridge replacements, freight and passenger rail projects, as well as active transportation modes, like pedestrian walkways and bike trails. The compromise transportation budget notably invests $57.5 million in arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). While I’m disappointed the Republican-led Senate were unwilling to discuss sustainable strategies for ongoing investments in transportation, this bill is truly a win for Minnesotans using all modes of transportation to get where they need to go.

Housing: Yesterday, the Minnesota House approved the Housing budget, which funds a variety of initiatives aimed at helping create more affordable housing, and provisions to ensure Minnesotans are safely and stably housed. An orderly “off-ramp” to the current eviction moratorium is included and provides renters and landlords with the time to take advantage of federal housing assistance funds, with the off-ramp concluding 105 days after enactment. Landlords will be required to send a notice to renters with outstanding rent 15 days prior to eviction. In addition, renters with an outstanding rental assistance claim cannot be evicted and will have that protection until June 1, 2022. The housing budget also contains $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds.

We plan to work through the weekend at the Capitol. Today, we are scheduled to take up the Environment and Jobs budget bills. Tomorrow we will discuss the K-12 Education funding budget. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.

Help for the Sanneh Foundation

I am heartbroken to share that an incredible community partner and resource is going through a very unfortunate and tragic event. The Sanneh Foundation has been a great rock to lean on for our youth and the entire east side not only for youth leadership and sports programming, but also as an important rallying point to share food for the community during this pandemic.

I hope you can join me as we stand tall and continue to support and sustain this community asset. Please join me in donating what you can to breathe life back into The Sanneh Foundation's wonderful community rec center on St. Paul East Side. We are stronger together.

I look forward to a speedy recovery of this facility so that our community can once again have a space to play, laugh, love and grow together.

Keep in Touch

Please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime with input or questions at rep.jay.xiong@house.mn or 651-296-4201. It’s an honor to serve our Eastside community at the State Capitol.

Take care and have a great weekend.

In solidarity,

Jay Xiong

State Representative