Greetings Eastsiders! I hope your June is off to a great start. The longer, brighter days and evenings are one of my favorite parts about this month. Soak up the gorgeous weather and sun with Free Park Saturday today! Once each season, all Minnesota state parks and state recreation areas offer free admission to everyone - no vehicle permits needed! It’s a great time to enjoy a local favorite in our area or explore somewhere new. Find a state park near you using the DNR’s ParkFinder tool.  Federal Clean Energy Aid Coming to St. Paul Public SchoolsExciting news! Saint Paul Public Schools will receive $8.7 million as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Rebate Program. The rebates will be used to cover the cost of 25 (!) buses, which are zero- or low-emission and will improve the health of area children and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The program started through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in 2021, which includes $5 billion over five years to transform the country’s existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. Every child deserves access to clean air, especially in the city where we are exposed to a lot of air pollution. It’s a critical step forward for the climate justice Eastsiders deserve. Recycling Drop-off Event at Harding High School on June 22The City of Saint Paul is hosting a Recycling Drop-off Event Saturday, June, 22 from 8:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m. at Harding High School (1540 6th St E). You can get rid of mattresses, electronics, scrap metal, and paper for shredding at no cost. Appliances and tires can be dropped off for a small fee. This year for the first time, clothing and linens, including worn and torn items, will be accepted. Items must be washed, dried and in tied plastic bag. For the full list of accepted items and prices click here.  Historic Session has ConcludedThe legislative session has concluded, marking the end of a historic two year biennium, with tangible results Eastsiders are seeing now, and will benefit from for generations to come. House DFLers built off 2023’s historically productive session by enacting more solutions to grow the state’s middle class and ensure all Minnesotans have the opportunity to thrive. We’ve listened to people from every corner of the state about what makes them proud to live in Minnesota, their hopes and dreams for the future, and the barriers they face toward meeting their goals and visions for themselves and their families. House DFLers prioritized what Minnesotans value most: strong education opportunities from cradle to career; jobs with wages and benefits that can support a family; more affordable, accessible health care; clean air, water, and soil, along with action to tackle the climate crisis; and welcoming, safe, and inclusive communities. In my role overseeing workforce development for the state as the House chair of the committee I am proud of the balanced investments we delivered across the state- rural, suburban, exurban, and metro- because we’re all stronger as One Minnesota.  Despite the progress we’ve made together, we can’t expect to make up for decades of gridlock in just two years. Plus, we know we can’t predict every challenge we may face in the future. Worse yet, extreme Republicans and their allies are desperate to return to power so they can divide us, gut the investments families depend on, and swing the pendulum back toward big corporations and the wealthiest among us. Working alongside Minnesotans, Democrats delivered the following victories this year for working families and our communities: - New investments in childhood literacy, educator development, and early learning opportunities
- A ban on hidden, nuisance “junk” fees
- Protections for workers, including new penalties for misclassifying them
- Ticket price transparency for concerts, games, and events
- Measures to strengthen our democracy, including the Minnesota Voting Rights Act
- New solutions to prevent gun violence
- Protections against the exploitation of children online by big tech companies
- Medical debt reforms
- Streamlining our permitting processes, investments in technologies like solar and geothermal, and supporting our electric grid to help meet our clean energy goals
- Expanded health insurance coverage for reproductive care, wigs for cancer patients, prosthetics, and gender-affirming care
- New funding, reforms, and delivery models for Emergency Medical Services
- Expanding our nation-leading Child Tax Credit
- A ban on school book bans
- Reforms to our child protection system and modernizing state law to better reflect the needs of all Minnesota families
- Investments in civil legal aid, forensic examiners, court cybersecurity, and other investments in the judiciary
- Additional major investments to fix our housing crisis
- Improving pay and working conditions for rideshare drivers while keeping Uber and Lyft in Minnesota
- Support for public employee pensions
- New investments in substance use disorder treatment, services for people with disabilities, and other vulnerable Minnesotans
- Funding for services for crime victims
- New safety measures for railroad tracks and roadways
- Improved labor standards for workers on broadband installation and certain housing construction projects
- Protections for clean drinking water and healthy soil, with investments in sustainable farming
- Investments in entrepreneurs and small businesses
I’m looking forward to having conversations in the months ahead with Eastsiders about how we can continue to ensure they can earn a good living, enjoy their freedoms, and build a better life.
Fighting for the EastsideAs one of the authors of the MN Promise Act, I intended for it to encompass all businesses on the Eastside. I am pleased that the Neighborhood Development Center has taken the necessary steps to rectify a minor error regarding how grant funding is allocated, allowing us to support our local businesses in House District 67B. I will always stand up for the Eastside. Other accomplishemnts for our community include: - Securing youth funding for Indigenous Roots Cultural Center, benefiting Eastside students with arts and dance programs through Cypher Side Dance School.
- Implementing hemp farming training for local growers to support agriculture growth in our district.
- Establishing digital equity programs to ensure that everyone in our community has access to essential resources.
- Allocating funds to MN Black Chamber of Commerce to bolster and empower local businesses.
- Launching adult job training programs at the Karen Organization of Minnesota to equip workers with valuable trade skills.
- Awarding a grant to the Coalition of Asian American Leaders to foster and support local women entrepreneurs.
- Supporting child care providers in our community through a program at WomenVenture, providing them with essential business training and service programs.
- Providing funding to Inspire Change to develop pathways in health professions through partnerships with local higher institutions, including Metropolitan State University.
Temporary Office RelocationThe Minnesota House of Representatives has relocated from the State Office Building to the Centennial Office Building (COB). During the transition, our digital and telecommunications access will be limited. Despite this, my legislative team and I are eager to continue serving the interests of our constituents and will strive to respond promptly during our temporary stay at the COB. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to completing the SOB's renovation in a few years. Keep in TouchPlease always feel free to reach out anytime throughout the year. The legislative session may be over but the work continues. It’s a deep honor to serve the community that raised me. Thank you, Eastsiders. In solidarity, Jay Xiong
State Representative |