Legislative Update - March 10, 2023

Dear Neighbors,

We’re over two months into the 2023 legislative session, and I’m glad to report that the House is working diligently and passing important bills to improve the lives of all Minnesotans. As we hit “deadline week,” the pace is picking up even more dramatically. Last week, I presented six bills in committee hearings, including bills to enhance juvenile justice and support at-risk youth, to extend funding for the innovative and personalized homelessness programming in Hennepin County, to address wage theft in the construction industry, and to update the “compensatory revenue” formula to ensure that schools sustain funding as we move to Universal Meals in schools. This week, I presented my bill to create an “Opportunity to Purchase” for manufactured housing residents if manufactured park owners decide to sell. It’s been an invigorating and exciting phase of the session.

Here’s my update from the Capitol.

Our Progress

The House passed a bill dedicated to ending homelessness in our state by investing in emergency services programs, transitional housing, outreach, and a pathway to stable housing for all. Minnesotans are asking for equitable access to housing services and support systems in their communities. The Pathway Home Act provides the ongoing, collective efforts needed to disrupt the violent cycles of homelessness many people are experiencing.

On Monday, the House passed the local jobs and projects bill. It’s exciting to see a bipartisan vote to invest in our state and each other. In our district, the Southern Anoka Community Assistance food shelf in Columbia Heights will receive a grant. Currently, they have to store food off-site because of a lack of storage space. The grant funds an expansion of their facility to provide food shelf services, grocery delivery for seniors and people with disabilities, and basic needs support. I was proud to vote ‘yes’ for this vital community service.

Updates

In solidarity with the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, we introduced a bill to combat wage theft in the construction industry. The stories of the exploitation of immigrant construction workers tell us this business model has serious flaws. Some testifiers told us their colleagues have worked up to 12-hour days and never saw payment for that work. The bill allows workers to file civil lawsuits against general contractors for their unpaid wages and gives the state’s Department of Labor and Industry power to inspect employment records related to wages. The bottom line is that if you control the worksite, then you are in the best position to prevent wage theft. You can read more about wage theft and our efforts in the legislature here.

I met with homelessness and hunger advocates at my office at the Capitol. I’m so thankful for them and my colleagues' work this year to house the houseless and feed the hungry. This is a win for all Minnesotans!

I will be at the Rally for the Boundary Waters next Wednesday at the Capitol Rotunda. This session, I am carrying bills that protect this world-renowned natural beauty we have here in our great state. I invite you to join us at the Capitol!

In other exciting news, I was appointed to the Legislative Commission on Data Practices. This commission was created to study issues relating to government data practices and individuals' personal data privacy rights and to review legislation impacting data practices, data security, and personal data privacy. Your personal data is more and more important as we move into an ever-increasing digital world. Last session, I chief authored the Student Data Privacy Act, and I continue to enthusiastically work in this policy realm. I’m proud to have been appointed to this commission and to advocate for responsible governance over Minnesotans’ private and personal data. 

Stay in Touch

If you have questions, ideas, or feedback that you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Email me at rep.sandra.feist@house.mn.gov or call (651) 296-4331. Also, you can follow my official State Representative Facebook Page.

Sincerely,  

Sandra Feist  

State Representative