Dear Neighbors,
This week, Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order protecting the rights of Minnesota’s LGBTQIA+ community to seek and receive gender-affirming health care. This is life-saving. Nobody should have to live in fear for being their authentic selves, and all of our youth deserve to be cherished and protected. My deep thanks to Governor Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan.
At the House, we have been busy delivering on the legislation mattering most to Minnesotans. Here is an update from Saint Paul. ??
Capital Investment Bill Passes House
The Minnesota House has taken the first bipartisan step in finishing the business of 2022 by approving nearly $1.9 billion in investments for local jobs and projects throughout the state.
This package of legislation addresses hundreds of critical infrastructure projects that have gone unfunded for too long. There are leaky roofs in state buildings, an outdated campus chemistry laboratory, unstable riverbanks, kids taking unsafe routes to schools, housing that needs to be maintained for our most vulnerable and failing wastewater infrastructure.
These and other projects are crucial to communities throughout the state, and inflation is only causing them to go up higher in cost the longer we delay. This legislation requires a supermajority to pass, meaning the Senate will need Republican support to get this funding over the finish line, just like we earned in the House.I serve as Vice Chair of the Capital Investment Committee and am proud to have worked with my House colleagues to pass this vital legislation. I hope you’ll join me in calling on Senate Republicans to swiftly pass this vital legislation for the people of our state.
Funding the Statewide Minnesota Family Resiliency Partnership
Imagine yourself as a person who for years, maybe even decades, has been caring for your family at home, while dependent on another person's income. Now picture how you'd feel when that income is suddenly taken away through death, disability, divorce, or other personal loss. Maybe you've never worked outside the home and, suddenly, your whole life has changed and it can be traumatic.
This week I introduced my bill to increase funding for the Statewide Minnesota Family Resiliency Partnership to the ??House Workforce Development Finance and Policy Committee. For 40-plus years, the Minnesota Family Resiliency Partnership has stepped in to help during these situations. It's been a trusted pre-employment and family stabilization program provided by a network of six regional partners across the state. It's the only program in the state specifically designed to help displaced homemakers address the unique barriers they face while trying to enter or reenter the workforce under these stressful conditions. I look forward to enacting it into law.
Pathways Home Act
Last Thursday, the Minnesota House passed the Pathways Home Act. This legislation increases funds 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. Emergency services and shelters save lives and keep people safe. The Pathway Home Act invests $150 million through 2028 to preserve and add over 3,000 shelter beds throughout Minnesota to ensure more people can receive services and housing regardless of their background or zip code.
You can watch my floor remarks on this bill here.
Meeting With Constituents
One of my favorite aspects of serving in my position is meeting with constituents across the state, learning your stories, and turning them into law. During Oral Health Day at the Capitol, I met with some local leaders and discussed their thoughts on how we can ensure high-quality, patient-centered, comprehensive, and coordinated oral health services for Minnesotans. I even got to fill a tooth at their demonstration table!
Keep in Touch
If you have any questions or feedback you’d like to share, you can contact me by email at rep.liz.reyer@house.mn.gov or call (651) 296-4128. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Liz Reyer
State Representative