Dear Neighbors, Session is ramping up, with upcoming deadlines for bills to advance out of committee. This week we heard the Governor’s revised budget proposal, and we will soon be working on our budget proposals in finance committees. Given rising costs for things like special education and long-term care, the state is looking at a deficit in later years if we don’t make cuts now. I am anticipating cuts in many areas, but am committed to protecting the investments we made in Minnesotans in the ‘23-’24 biennium and ensuring any cuts have minimal impact on the issues I know our communities care about the most- strong schools, access to healthcare, and economic security. This week was also busy with constituent visits. I spoke with SEIU members who shared the importance of fair working conditions at nursing homes to ensure our elderly and those who care for them have dignified places to work and age with dignity. I also met with the Longfellow/Seward Healthy Seniors solo group where we talked about the legislative process, and important issues to seniors such as property taxes, and legislation regarding medical directives for seniors. Meeting with constituents is the best part of my week, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to share issues important to you.  Creating Safer Roads Last year, the House passed my bill allowing municipalities to implement speed safety cameras on high-traffic, high-accident streets through a pilot program in Minneapolis and Mendota Heights. Speeding and fatalities have been up in Minnesota, and speed safety cameras are an important measure to consider related to traffic safety. Speed safety cameras can be an effective tool to protect vulnerable populations in many areas, including in school and work zones. The cameras have been shown to reduce crashes and injuries. Two weeks ago, Minneapolis released its map of proposed sites for the camera pilot program, and they will be rolling out soon. You can read about the program and why these cameras are so needed here.  Federal Chaos Brings Uncertainty for MinnesotaThis week, the Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee heard presentations from Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) on federal interactions with the state budget. The State of Minnesota receives 687 federal awards, totaling $23.3 billion, comprising roughly one-third of Minnesota’s resources. Since late January, dozens of state awards have been disrupted, and as of the afternoon of March 20th, 24 states were unable to access federal funding. This would have broad-ranging effects on vital programs that help Minnesota’s children and families, like TANF, Medicaid, and SNAP. For decades, federal investments have played a key role in ensuring Minnesotans receive the support they need to learn and thrive. Under the Trump/Musk administration’s chaos, the state of Minnesota is receiving unclear federal guidance, inconsistent access to funds, and uncertainty about the federal budget. These reckless budget decisions create challenges for our local governments, jeopardizing our ability to navigate an economic downturn. Government has a responsibility to protect people and create a fairer, safer Minnesota for all. That means working to ensure consumers are protected, our kids are safe, and our policies are lifting up working families. I’m committed to working with allies to ensure Minnesota is resilient to any potential budgetary fallout due to short-sighted federal actions. Protect Medicaid, Not Millionaires Act Earlier this week, I met with Melvin (a fellow South High grad!) during disability advocacy day at the Capitol. We talked about the fear of cuts to Medicaid funding coming down from the federal government and how that would impact our most vulnerable Minnesotans. I shared with him about the DFL “Protect Medicaid, not Millionaires Act.” This recently introduced bill is simple: if devastating funding cuts come down from the federal government, taking away critical healthcare for millions of Minnesotans (including 44% of children), then the richest in our state should pay for those cuts. I’m a supporter of this bill because I don’t believe that Minnesotans who are just struggling to get by and live lives with dignity should bear the burden of the chaos and cruelty coming down from the federal government. Childcare Roundtable April 1 This session, I am on the Children and Families committee. We are considering important proposals related to regulating the childcare industry, such as cameras in childcare centers, modernizing the childcare licensing system, and creating a system for stronger background checks for childcare workers. If you are involved in the childcare industry and would like to give feedback on these proposals and more, please join me for a childcare roundtable on April 1. Register here: https://secure.everyaction.com/h-RPAez1sEOkAWir0IwTAg2  Keep in TouchPlease continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at rep.samantha.sencer-mura@house.mn.gov or 651-297-7087. You can also follow my Facebook page. In community, Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura Minnesota House of Representatives |