Dear Neighbors,
The House was in Spring recess last week, and I hope you and your families had a joyful Passover, Easter, and Ramadan.
This week the House got back to action, and I’m working with my colleagues to start passing finance bills and lay out our budget priorities.
Here are updates on my recent activities:??
#EndPeriodPovertyMN
This year I have been focused on ending period poverty in Minnesota, requiring that all schools provide free menstrual products to students. This issue came to the light from several amazing students who stood up, advocated, and shared a common belief: no student should miss school because they can't afford menstrual products.
Our bill took another step forward, as it was passed by the Senate committees to the Senate Floor. I am honored to be working with our local students and my legislative colleagues to get this long-overdue legislation passed.
For more information, here is an article from earlier this session.
Investing in Minnesota’s Families
While our state economy has been on the road to recovery, the recovery has not been shared equally. The largest corporations and the wealthiest Minnesotans are doing better than ever, yet many working families are still living paycheck to paycheck. If we ignore their needs, our entire economy suffers. We have the opportunity to keep growing our economy through investing in child care, education, family leave, and other cornerstones which will continue moving our state decisively in the right direction.
My House DFL colleagues and I are committed to championing the causes of the working families who have made our economic recovery possible. By working to reduce many of their largest expenses, Minnesotan families will have an easier time paying for essentials.
Increasing Funding for CornerHouse
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. This week I presented a bill that would allocate funding for one of the premier child advocacy organizations in Minnesota.
CornerHouse is a nationally-accredited and globally recognized center with an over 30-year history of child protection advocacy through evidence-based practices. They are a successful example of partnering with families, communities, and systems - entrusted with the safety of children, youth, and vulnerable adults - to reduce trauma and end abuse.
CornerHouse is expanding to St. Anthony and with this funding, they will have the resources to expand their children and family services and geographic reach significantly. I am so proud to be advancing this important legislation.
Stay in Touch
If you have questions, ideas, or feedback that you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email me at rep.sandra.feist@house.mn or call (651) 296-4331.
Sincerely,
Sandra Feist
State Representative