Dear Neighbors,
Last week, we continued to pass our budget bills off the House Floor. I am proud to support budget proposals to ensure Minnesota is the best place to work, live, and raise a family. Key themes and messages from this week include solidarity, unity, and accountability.
Earlier this week, two local mosques were violently attacked, resulting in fire damage to both. There continues to be an increase in legislative attacks against communities and senseless acts of gun violence across the nation. Last week, DFLers stood together in strength as they condemn these hateful acts and boldly say, hate has no home here. You belong here.
Here’s my latest from the Capitol.
Our Three Newest Laws
Last week, Governor Walz signed three bills into law, all of them making Minnesota a more welcoming, science-following, rights-protecting state. We banned conversion therapy, protected access to abortion, and did the same for gender-affirming care by making Minnesota a safe state for trans refuge. These vital new laws loudly proclaim Minnesota will take you, as you are, with open arms.
Budget Bills
These past few weeks have been long, some nights leading up to midnight. While this time during the legislative process is most daunting, I find great joy in knowing many of these bills have been long overdue and Minnesotans deserve relief and support now. That is why I was proud to vote to pass these bills.
Minnesota’s Largest Tax Cut
Collectively, the bill delivers the largest tax cut in state history with credits, rebates, and other provisions designed to maximize benefits for workers, families, and seniors. It also addresses years of rising property taxes and underinvestment in local communities. The House DFL tax bill reforms our tax code to improve fairness and equity across the board. Between 2018 and 2021, the adjusted gross income of filers of those earning less than $20,000 annually fell by 9% while the AGI of filers over $500k grew 117%. Minnesotans expect those who profited most during the pandemic to pay their fair share. With a worldwide reporting requirement for multinational corporations hiding income in offshore tax havens and a millionaire tax on the top 0.8% of all earners, we will have the necessary revenue to invest in children, families, homeowners, seniors, and the most vulnerable Minnesotans now and in the future.
Jobs & Labor Budget Bill
For Minnesota to maintain its strong economy, it’s vital we support working parents by ensuring our kids have top-notch childcare. But in Greater Minnesota, affordability isn’t the only barrier to accessing childcare – availability is also a critical problem. Our budget bill invests in our childcare system to support our families, enrich our kids, and make sure childcare staff earn a living wage.
Legalization of Adult-use Cannabis
Advocates and changemakers have been working on this legislation for nearly a decade. The versions constantly changed to reflect the need and justice for our BIPOC communities. I am beyond proud of my colleagues for finally passing the bill off the House floor. Minnesota’s current cannabis laws are doing more harm than good. By creating a regulatory framework, we can address the harms caused by cannabis, establish a more sensible set of laws, improve our healthcare & criminal justice systems, and ensure better outcomes for communities. Minnesotans deserve the freedom and respect to make responsible decisions about cannabis use themselves.
Human Services Budget Bill
Communities are facing an urgent need for dedicated, compassionate individuals to provide care for people with disabilities, seniors, and vulnerable Minnesotans. With a tight labor market and demographics shifting, House DFLers are stepping forward with solutions to ensure everyone can live in their communities with the care and dignity they deserve while ensuring workers are supported on the job. Moreover, we must protect the working rights of our long-term care facility workers and invest in nursing homes. We cannot continue to expect workers to provide quality care when they are not making a livable wage.
Health Budget Bill
As the assault on reproductive freedom continues across the nation, Minnesota stands in unwavering support of reproductive rights. The House DFL Health bill increases funding for reproductive health care and protects reproductive privacy and access by repealing harmful and archaic anti-abortion language in statute for decades. The House DFL stands with Minnesotans who want to make their own reproductive health care decisions without interference from politicians.
Keep in Touch
Please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime with input, or questions, or to let me know how I can be of assistance at rep.samakab.hussein@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5158. Be sure to ‘like’ and follow my new Facebook page.
Thank you for the honor of serving our community.
Sincerely,
Rep. Samakab Hussein
Committee Assignments:
Vice Chair Legacy Finance
Capital Investment
Housing Finance and Policy
Labor and Industry Finance and Policy