Legislative Update - June 28, 2024

Legislative Update - June 28, 2024

Dear Neighbors, 

Our community is currently dealing with another record-setting flood, with the Cannon River reaching the highest level ever recorded. Over the weekend, Senators Klobuchar and Smith and Representative Craig visited Northfield?to meet with local officials and discuss how local, state, and federal governments can work together to provide relief.  

With flooding affecting areas throughout our district, I’ve been following this situation closely and have been in contact with my colleagues in the legislature as well. 

You can find information on flooding, road closures, and more from local government pages, including the?City of Northfield,?Rice County Page, Scott County Page, Dakota County Page?as well as?MPR?and the?National Weather Service. 

I recently spoke with the Sahan Journal about my proposed bill last session to increase transparency and accountability when it comes to state agencies, as part of their article on environmental and pollution control regulations. You can read more here.

Out in the Community! 

There’s no shortage of amazing community events coming up in our district, but I especially wanted to highlight Sharing Our Roots’ work on an Emerging Farmers’ Market that will be running monthly throughout the summer and fall. Learn more here: https://www.sharing-our-roots.org/events 

As Vice-Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, I’m dedicated to supporting our small, generational, and emerging farmers, and I’m glad to see that work happening in our area and am grateful to have been invited to attend a local Minnesota Farmer’s Union event at Ferndale Market along with Commissioner of Agriculture Thom Peterson!

I was happy to attend a celebration of the Minnesota Voting Rights Act, which passed last session, alongside Attorney General Ellison, Secretary of State Steve Simon, and members of the Inclusive Democracy Caucus. Protecting our democracy was a key focus of the Elections Committee’s work this year and I am proud to serve as a member of that committee and have passed my provision so that colleges can have “pop-up” early voting locations on campus for students who live on-site.

Most Consequential Legislature 

It’s been over a month since the 2023-2024 Legislature adjourned, and I'm excited to share the progress we’ve made these past two years with members of our community. After many years of divided government and Republican gridlock that prevented meaningful progress for our state, House DFLers got the job done through a host of accomplishments that will benefit Minnesotans for generations to come. 

House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy wrote an opinion piece in the Star Tribune titled “That was the most consequential legislature in generations”. I encourage you to read and share it to learn more about the work done that will benefit Minnesotans for generations to come. 

As the Speaker and Majority Leader wrote, we know that there is more to do to build a state that truly works for everyone. Despite the progress we all made together, we know that many of the challenges Minnesotans are facing can't be solved in a two-year legislative session. We're committed to continuing our collaboration with Minnesotans to prioritize the issues they value and ensure everyone has the opportunity to build the better life they deserve. 

Pollinator Lawn and E-Bike Programs 

Do you want your lawn to be more pollinator-friendly? Minnesota residents can now apply for spring 2025 Lawns to Legumes funding. The Lawns to Legumes program aims to increase habitat for at-risk pollinators in residential settings across the state by providing people with cost-share funding, workshops, coaching, and gardening resources. 

Anyone can apply to be reimbursed for up to $400 in costs associated with establishing new pollinator habitats in their yards. Applications will be accepted through November 30, 2024. If you previously applied for the program, you must reapply to be considered for spring 2025 funding.? 

Apply online at Blue Thumb’s website. For more information about Lawns to Legumes, visit BWSR’s website. 

The new e-Bike Rebate program will reopen it’s applications on July 2nd at 11:00 AM. Applications will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. The rebate is worth 50-75% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum value of $1,500 off the cost of the e-Bike. 

Individuals and retailers must apply to the Minnesota Department of Revenue to take part in this program. If approved, individuals will receive the rebate certificate by email. They will then have two months to go to an approved retailer and purchase a discounted e-bike. 

Retailers will mark the certificate as redeemed and apply the discount amount at the time of purchase. They will then have one month to request reimbursement through the retailer portal. 

Stay Connected!

Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account. To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.kristi.pursell@house.mn.gov or 651-296-0171, and I will be happy to help.

You can also follow my Official Facebook Page here. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe!