Dear Neighbors and Friends, As we reach the midpoint of our legislative session, the halls of the Capitol are bustling with activity. Committee deadlines are approaching rapidly, and my DFL colleagues and I are working diligently to present and defend policies that Minnesotans have fought hard to establish. As the Legislature moves forward in crafting a new state budget, we will fight to put more power in the hands of Minnesotans, not billionaires and large corporations. The reality of our tied Minnesota House of Representatives means one thing is clear: we must work together to accomplish anything meaningful. This includes our biggest priority—enacting a balanced two-year state budget. The House budget targets represent a genuine compromise between Democrats and Republicans and will guide our committee co-chairs as they draft their respective budgets. While we've seen numerous GOP attempts to repeal policies that Minnesotans fought hard for, now is the time to move beyond partisan goals. We must work collaboratively to ensure no community is left behind. My commitment remains steadfast: to create a Minnesota where opportunity is accessible to all, regardless of zip code or background. To ensure Minnesotans' voices are heard regarding concerning policies from the Trump administration, DFL legislators are hosting statewide town halls. We invite you to a special town hall meeting on Saturday, April 12th at 1:00 PM to collectively address these issues. Please register here for the event location. Unfortunately, I will not be present as I have another previous engagement in the North End community. I still encourage you to join and take part in the conversation.  Sacred Settlement Tour I worked across the aisle with former Representative Anne Neu Brindley in 2023 to establish a legal framework allowing religious organizations to create tiny home communities on their property, providing permanent housing for our chronically unsheltered neighbors. This bipartisan effort was developed in close collaboration with the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, the City of St. Paul, and the League of Minnesota Cities. And now, this vital policy is under threat. A GOP bill has been introduced in the House that seeks to undo the work we accomplished together. I am committed to defending this important legislation. I am proud to have a Sacred Settlement in my district and was delighted to recently tour it with my colleagues to show them firsthand what we are fighting for. These communities provide dignity and stability to our most vulnerable residents. If not in my backyard, then where? I will continue working to protect this critical housing solution and the progress we've made together.  Low-Cost Statewide Car Insurance I'm honored to be the House lead author of a bill that proposes a state-run program to ensure low-income, good drivers in Minnesota have access to low-cost auto insurance- a solution that would provide significant benefits to drivers across our state. The financial burden of car insurance premiums is overwhelming for many individuals and families, especially since it's the only state-mandated insurance. A state-sponsored option would alleviate this burden, making coverage accessible and preventing anyone from being uninsured due to unaffordable private premiums. Proud to champion legislation for safer roads and a fairer system for all Minnesotans! Watch the press conference here.  Rice Street construction set to begin on April 7 Construction on Rice Street is scheduled to start, today, April 7 (weather permitting). Rice Street will be closed from Wheelock Parkway to Montana Avenue and between Ivy and Cottage avenues. Traffic will be detoured via Larpenteur Avenue, I-35E, and Maryland Avenue. Access will be maintained to businesses along Rice Street. What is this project? Ramsey County is reconstructing Rice Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Wheelock Parkway from 2025 to 2027. Construction will take place in three phases: - Phase One (Spring 2025-Fall 2025): Wheelock Parkway to the north side of Maryland Avenue
- Phase Two (Spring 2026-Fall 2026): Maryland Avenue to the north side of the Manitoba Avenue and the Pennsylvania Avenue intersection
- Phase Three (Spring 2027-Fall 2027): Manitoba Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue
This project will entail: - Full roadway reconstruction
- Reduction from four lanes to three
- Two travel lanes and a center turn lane
- Addition of a 10-foot shared use path on the west side of Rice St.
- ADA improvements
- Improved transit stations
- Shorter pedestrian crossings at intersections
- Enhanced drainage and additional snow storage
- Bridge rehabilitation and reconstruction
Contact Small Business Impact Survey Amid additional federal tariffs announced this week, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is gathering information from affected small businesses in Minnesota. In this period of uncertainty, there may be a lag in data, so this survey is a way for our St. Paul business owners to communicate directly with the department now. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete. By collaborating with Minnesota's locally owned small businesses, which face significant challenges, we can proactively plan for the state's future needs. Federal Cuts to MDH The Minnesota Department of Health has announced that the Trump administration is unilaterally rescinding $226 million in federal grants related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cuts amount to about 25% of MDH’s current budget, according to KARE-11, and are likely to result in the layoffs of around 200 employees. The actions are part of a broader nationwide effort to eliminate $11 billion in spending by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The recent federal funding cuts raise serious concerns about healthcare access for all Minnesotans and may exacerbate existing medical care disparities across our state. These changes could potentially impact essential services including COVID-19 testing capabilities, vaccination programs, and ongoing pandemic research initiatives. I am committed to pursuing solutions through collaboration, advocating for adequate public health funding, and supporting affected employees while ensuring our communities maintain access to vital health services during this challenging transition.  Protect Medicaid, Not Millionaires While President Trump and Congressional Republicans look to subsidize tax cuts for the wealthy by reducing federal funding for Medicaid, DFL legislators introduced legislation that would raise taxes on millionaires at the level necessary to offset any cuts to this crucial program. Medicaid is the largest single source of health insurance in Minnesota, serving senior citizens, children, families, and people with disabilities. A report from Congress’s Joint Economic Committee found that if Republicans in Congress pass their proposed budget and cut Medicaid, Minnesota could see 89,000 rural residents lose their health coverage,130,000 children lose their health insurance, more than 1 in 6 seniors lose their nursing home care and, in total, nearly 400,000 people cut off from their health insurance. If these callous cuts go through without additional revenue raised by Minnesota, it will have a direct and immediate negative effect on health in Minnesota, costing lives and doing harm.  |