Neighbors, The legislative session continues full steam. This week several committees met into the evening hours, hearing bills as we near our second committee deadline on March 24. Rental Assistance AdvancesThursday, I voted in favor of, and the Minnesota House passed House File 1440, which delivers a one-time $50 million investment in emergency rental assistance to the state’s Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program to address skyrocketing evictions and rent increases. We must do more for Minnesotans who need assistance paying rent, and this is one step forward. Through much of the pandemic, federal rental assistance allowed Minnesotans to maintain housing stability. Many of those funds dried up in January of 2022, but the economic challenges facing low-income families did not. As a result, Minnesota experienced a skyrocketing eviction rate last year with more than 20,000 filed. Many counties across the state have seen 100% increase in eviction filings over pre-pandemic levels. Video of the floor debate can be found on the House Public Information YouTube channel.  Committee ActionMy bill providing funds for workplace safety grants was heard in the Human Services Policy Committee. The grants will be utilized to increase safety measures in human services workplaces providing behavioral health care; services for children, families, and vulnerable adults; services for older adults and people with disabilities; and other social services or related care. You can read the nonpartisan Session Daily article about the bill here. Today in the Elections Committee, MNSU student Storm Novak testified on the Ranked Choice Voting bill. The measure would create a task force to study the issue and allow jurisdictions to adopt this method voting in local elections. Video of all hearings are available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.  The Community & The CapitolOn Thursday, my bill was heard to appropriate funds to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for grants to GreenSeam LLC in Mankato to assist agriculture-related businesses. GreenSeam would be required to annually report grant outcomes and accomplishments to the legislature. GreenSeam Director Sam Ziegler testified in favor of the legislation.  Students from MNSU Dept of Health Science came to visit and advocate on the negative impact tobacco has on people’s lives and the cost it has on all of us. It was great to see so many students take time out of their day to advocate for what they are passionate about.  Sovereignty Day at the Capitol On Monday, I participated in Sovereignty Day at the Capitol, hosted by the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate. Sovereignty Day was an educational event for legislators on tribal history and culture, sovereignty, and the interplay between federal, state, and tribal law. This event included the leaders of the eleven federally recognized sovereign tribal nations in Minnesota.  Stay Connected with the LegislatureThe 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 |