Legislative Update: End of Session, Uvalde and Buffalo

Dear Neighbors,

We ended the 2022 Legislative Session and adjourned Monday as required by the Minnesota Constitution. Lawmakers worked around the clock to resolve our differences and craft bills that can pass in both the House and Senate and be signed into law by Governor Walz. In the end, no one will get everything they want, but that’s how compromise works. 

Earlier this month, Speaker Hortman, Senate Majority Leader Miller, and Governor Walz signed an agreement on a budget framework for the end of session: $4 billion in tax cuts; $4 billion in investments; and $4 billion on the bottom line, in case of a future economic downturn.

After a tax deal was negotiated and finalized, ready for passage, the Senate went back on their word to live up to the overall budget framework. Regardless of your politics, when you give someone your word and sign an agreement, you should honor that agreement. 

That's why it’s so disappointing to see the Senate majority walk away from delivering what our state needs now more than ever: strong and stable schools, lower health care costs, mental health access, better public safety, additional strategies to combat climate change, and more.

There are several things that need to be done and can still be done with a special session. The agreement on a tax bill would result in the largest tax cut in state history – almost $4 billion over three years. It includes significant refunds and credits for homeowners and renters and also includes a complete exemption of all Social Security income from state income taxation.

In addition, we need to fund student mental health, special education, and literacy programs. Both the House and Senate agreed to spend $1 billion on health care. Senate Republicans need to come back to the table so we can settle on how much of that to devote to pay raises for workers in long-term care, group home employees, and personal care assistants.

Minnesotans expect a functioning state government. We need Senate Republicans to come back to work to help ensure Minnesota seniors and families get more money back in their pockets at a time when it's needed most. I’m ready for a special session any day now.

Despite this end-of-session nightmare, we were able to get some provisions passed, including:

• Giving bonuses to frontline workers who could not work from home.
• Distributing funds to address the opioid crisis.
• Making the largest investment in high-speed broadband internet in state history,
• Funding public health infrastructure to keep people healthy and safe as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
• Protecting and supporting veterans and Gold Star families.
• Replenishing funding for Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance Program, keeping businesses’ unemployment insurance tax rates flat.
• Extending the COVID-19 worker’s compensation presumption for first responders, including fire fighters, police officers, and paramedics.
• Reducing the cost of health insurance for those who use the individual market.
• Modernizing state liquor laws to support Minnesota’s breweries and distilleries.
• Funding nation-leading ALS research.
• Providing relief to farmers impacted by the 2021 drought and delivering resources to control and contain the avian influenza outbreak.

I hope to have more good news soon, after we have a special session.

Tragedy in Buffalo and Uvalde

The devastating news out of Buffalo is another example of the unrelenting trauma communities of color have experienced. There are no words to express the profound grief and pain with ten people brutally killed, three people injured, and a surrounding community forever changed, all motivated by senseless hate. As reports continue to come out, it is alleged that the suspect published a 180-page document that repeats a series of white supremacist ideologies and racist conspiracy theories referred to as the “Great Replacement” as justification for a premeditated plan to search out Black people and murder them.  My colleague, Representative Cedrick Frazier spoke on this issue, which you can watch here.

We all need to be stepping forward together to condemn white supremacy everywhere. Please take some time to listen to him.

Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas there was a horrific school shooting of 19 children and 2 teachers. This is the second deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. My heart goes out to the families affected by this tragedy. We must work swiftly together now to save more lives. 

In 2020, the Minnesota House passed common-sense background checks and red flag laws. The Senate did nothing.  We need gun reform now. Our public safety chair, Rep. Carlos Mariani, spoke to this at a press conference this week.

The Second Anniversary

Wednesday marked two years since the killing of George Floyd. We still have so much to do, and all of it sits heavy on my heart. George should be alive today, just like Amir, Daunte, Winston, and so many more. Please take a moment to read the POCI Caucus statement here.

I’m grateful for all of the community organizers, activists, mutual-aid supporters, and neighbors of George Floyd Square. This week has been beyond hard, but I’ve been centered by the strength of our community. Anyone who took time this week to go to the vigil, write a note of justice, or spread the message of action in your community, thank you.

Capital Investment for the East Side

As a member of the House Capital Investment Committee, I am proud to have chief authored several legislation that would bring millions of investments into our district. Unfortunately, the MN Senate Republicans who control that chamber refused to come to an agreement with the MN House DFL and GOP. 

In the bonding bill, I requested funds for:

• Wakan Tipi Lower Phalen Creek: construction of Indigenous center
• 30K Feet Black Arts Center: building of new arts center for Black community on Eastside
• Funny Asian Women Kollective Arts (FAWK) Center: investments in building arts center on Eastside addressing systemic issues through comedy and performance
• Progressive Early Childhood Education Center (P.R.O.C.E.E.D.: provide services in the areas of employment, education, youth enrichment, health and civic/community engagement
• Hillcrest: clean up the contaminated land and turn it into a development site with affordable housing, low barrier to entry living wage jobs, parks and the goal of being a carbon free community.
• Listening House: purchase and remodel a building on the East Side that would innovate Minnesota's day shelter services for those in deep poverty and homelessness.

As we head into a possible special session this summer, I will continue advocating for these projects.

Pig’s Eye Task Force Passed House and Senate

I’m happy to give you another successful update on my legislation to clean up the Pig’s Eye dump site. The legislation has now passed out of both the House and Senate and is on the way to the Governor for signature. I'm proud to have been the lead author on this legislation, with support from Chair Hansen and Chair Lee, to address the Pig's Eye pollution issue that has been neglected for too long. We were able to pass an $800k appropriation to begin the work with multiple partners to begin the long and complicated process of cleaning up the site. A clean, cared for environment leads to happy and healthy communities.

Pioneer Press published a nice article about it here.

Environment Chair Rick Hansen at the Pig’s Eye site.

Curbing Catalytic Converter Theft

Catalytic converter theft is on the rise in our state. The provision that the House DFL passed last month, included in the Commerce omnibus bill, would prohibit the possession of a detached catalytic converter and give law enforcement the ability to address situations where individuals are found with multiple detached catalytic converters. This approach would have made it more tough and held thieves accountable furthermore regulate businesses profiting from the theft. Unfortunately, this was a provision that Senate Republicans wouldn’t agree to. The Senate GOP wanted less regulations for businesses -- meaning scrap metal dealers can buy any stolen catalytic converter and criminals will continue to cash in on catalytic converters. This is thuggery from the Senate GOP. Soft on crime from Senate GOP.  Here’s a statement on it from our St. Paul colleague, Sen. John Marty.

Support Emancipated Minors seeking Restraining Orders

Current law allows a parent/legal guardian, conservator or step-parent to bring a petition for a Harassment Restraining Order on a minor’s behalf. It does not currently provide a way for emancipated youth to seek a Harassment Restraining Order, even if they need one for protection from stalking or harassment, often from someone pursuing them for sex or exploitation. This is a particular issue for LGBTQ+ youth, and my Eastside colleague, Rep. Athena Hollins has worked to correct this important safety gap. Here are her remarks from the floor.

The Minnesota Human Rights Department Moves on MPD

Last week, the Minnesota House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee met jointly with the House Judiciary and Civil Law Committee to review the Minnesota Department of Human Rights’ findings following its investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department. The investigation – ordered after the murder of George Floyd in May of 2020 – concluded there is probable cause that MPD have engaged in a pattern or practice of race discrimination in violation of the Minnesota Human rights act.

Public safety should be for everyone. Shockingly, many are not surprised by the findings outlined by Commissioner Lucero. Accountability measures have to be put in place. We need state oversight when local oversight fails. I’m glad to see MDHR continuing to move forward as a consent decree is being negotiated. Gov. Walz has appointed a strong leader in Commissioner Lucero, and we need strong leadership during this moment of reckoning. We have to take action to ensure abuses and human rights violations like those outlined in these findings by MDHR are never repeated in any community in our state.

If you would like to watch the hearing, you can find it here.

Help is available for Minnesota homeowners hurt financially by the pandemic. Eligible homeowners can apply for up to $35,000 in assistance for mortgage payments and other housing-related expenses through a new state program called HomeHelpMN. The program is funded with $109 million from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. You can start the application process through the HomeHelpMN website. You can read more in a Minnesota Reformer article.

COVID-19 Update

The White House announced this week, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order a third round of free at-home COVID-19 tests. Click here to place your order.  You can also call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).  Also, a reminder Americans over 50 and those 12 years and older who are immunocompromised can receive a second COVID-19 booster shot. More updates about COVID-19 are available through the Minnesota Department of Health website.

Memorial Day

This Monday is Memorial Day, which is observed annually in America on the last Monday of May to honor the fallen service members who have died in the line of duty to defend our nation, protect our interests and uphold our Constitution. May is a fitting month for a lot of reasons in the annals of military history. It was in May when final remnants of American forces left Vietnam and Laos fell to the Communists, leaving whatever allies such as the Hmong, who had not yet evacuated to fend for themselves or flee to the jungles and fight for their lives. It was in May when Nazi Germany surrendered, bringing an official end to the European theater of battle in World War I. This Memorial Day weekend, we remember the sacrifice of all peoples who have served in defense of American interests, including those like my father and uncles who served off the books, under the table, via cash money from CIA funded secret armies executing US foreign policy in Laos fighting a communist enemy which enveloped Southeast Asia.  These uncles gave their lives and bodies to an America they never saw. They will not be recognized on official rolls of US servicemen and women. They will not be buried at Arlington or Fort Snelling. They will not be buried with a US flag or military honor. But they are no less our American heroes too, and they deserve to be remembered and recognized for their role in defending their homelands, their people, their country, and for giving the US the ultimate sacrifice of sweat, blood and treasure. If not for them, there would not be 300,000 Hmong Americans in this country today, and we would not have revitalized entire neighborhoods or contribute so much in billions each year to the state in taxes. So on this day, let us remember Hmong and Lao veterans and the many other small ethnic groups who fought alongside us in Southeast Asia to support the Vietnam War.

Keep in Touch

As always, please contact me at rep.jay.xiong@house.mn if you need anything. I’ll be posting updates as we pass agreements on priority issues on Twitter and Facebook. Have a great weekend.

In solidarity,

Rep. Jay Xiong