Neighbors, Thursday night, I joined all House DFLers to advance House File 7. This forward-thinking legislation tackles the climate crisis, and at the same time will create good jobs. It establishes new clean energy goals for the state and puts Minnesota on a path to produce 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. In 2007, a DFL House, DFL Senate, and a Republican Governor enacted the Next Generation Energy Act, which sought to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% from 2005 levels by 2050. According to a 2021 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) report, the state is not on track to meet its clean energy goals, with emissions declining just eight percent from 2005 levels. University of Minnesota research shows Minnesota is one of the fastest-warming states in the nation. During the past four years, the Minnesota House has voted twice to improve upon the state’s clean energy goals, most recently in 2021 when legislators approved a Commerce and Energy budget that established the same 100% by 2040 clean energy goals legislators voted for yesterday. Twenty-one other states have already established a 100% clean-energy standard or goal. The same bill is advancing in the Minnesota Senate and Gov. Walz included the same policy in his budget proposal for fiscal years 2024-2025 and has included the policy in his past budget proposals.  Community & The Capitol There was a lot happening this week at the Capitol. Wednesday was Credit Union Day on the Hill, and I was very impressed with their focus on affordable housing and financial literacy for our students. They are helping to build strong communities by creating housing stability and making sure our students are knowledgeable about their financial future. I presented my first bill of the session this week in the Elections committee. HF95 clarifies language regarding election results, and I carried the measure in support of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Also making their way to the Capitol this week were visitors from MSU. We had a good discussion about priorities for the university. I am always happy to see folks from home!  My Committee Updates This week in the Human Services Policy Committee, the Mental Health Legislative Network (MHLN) presented their priorities and legislative agenda. In the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee, we advanced HF55, creating an office for missing and murdered Black women and girls. Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson presented the Governor’s budget in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee. Stay connected with the Legislature The Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website here. I welcome your questions and comments anytime. You can send an email to rep.luke.frederick@house.mn.gov or call me at (651) 296-3248. Also, please visit and “like” my Facebook page for more Capitol and community updates. Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature. Sincerely, Luke Frederick State Representative |