Dear Neighbors,
Last week, the Minnesota House passed House File 2, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. This legislation has been in the works for nearly a decade, and now is the time to deliver on our promise to Minnesotans. Too often, many workers in our state face the impossible choice of either going to work to earn a paycheck or staying home to take care of themselves or a sick family member.
While some workers have jobs that provide paid sick leave, thousands of Minnesotans do not have access to a single paid day off. Additionally, those in the lowest wage positions and our BIPOC community members face stark disparities. I was proud to vote ‘yes’ to ensure every Minnesotan is protected by a safety net that uplifts humanity.
Legislative Updates:
Conference Committees are committees made up of members from the House and Senate appointed to reconcile the differences between two versions of a budget bill. This is an important time to collaborate with our colleagues and make comprehensive compromises to ensure the bill is reflective and responsive to our communities. These negotiations are critical to moving forward the vision and values of Minnesotans.
Legacy Budget Conference Committee Report
Yesterday, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved the conference committee report on H.F. 1999, the Legacy Budget Bill. The bill invests over $818 million dollars in Minnesota’s outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and culture. The conference committee report passed on a vote of 101-31. The bill also includes significant policy provisions to serve communities who have historically been underrepresented in Legacy fund recipients, with specific appropriations for BIPOC museums and community organizations. The bill fully funds Minnesota’s Tribal nations’ requests to help preserve their language and culture. For the first time, this bill includes funding specifically dedicated to smaller organizations, funding for the arts community as they facilitate healing and recovery, and language including LGBTQIA+ Minnesotans in our arts and cultural heritage fund and outdoor youth outreach programs.
Higher Education Budget Conference Committee Report
Yesterday, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved the conference committee report on House File 2073, the state’s Higher Education Budget. With declining enrollment across higher education, the report provides a record increase in investment for Minnesota’s colleges and universities. The conference committee report passed on a vote of 69-62. The Higher Education budget for 2024-2025 funds the Office of Higher Education, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the University of Minnesota campuses, the Mayo Clinic Medical School, and Tribal Colleges. Notably, the budget provides free college to students with household incomes under $80,000.
Community Engagements
Thank you to all who came out last Friday to celebrate the bill signing of the Conversion Therapy Ban, the Trans Refuge Bill, and the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act. I greatly appreciate Outfront MN, Gender Justice, and QueerSpace for organizing the event.
It was a great time connecting with advocates and other fiercely fabulous community leaders over our legislative wins. We could not have done it without their support and dedication.
(Photo cutline: Sasha R. Cassadine, Drag Queen Performer)
AAPI Heritage Month
Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese community to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.
During this wonderful month, we wish our AAPI communities a joyous gathering to celebrate achievements and milestones. May you indulge in songs, food, ritual, and stories with your families and loved ones.
Let us also strive to find humanity in each other as we uplift and celebrate the cultures and traditions of our AAPI community.
Learn more on AAPI Heritage Month: https://asianpacificheritage.gov/about/
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR)
It was an honor to share space with our Indigenous relatives for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) event. This movement seeks to draw attention to the high rates of disappearances and murders of Native people, particularly women, and girls. We must work together as a community to keep this movement that advocates, families, and relatives have been doing for decades to end violence against Native women.
Stay connected with the legislature
It is easy to stay connected to news from the State Capitol. The Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services offers nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. Subscribe to receive these here. To track bills of interest through the legislative process, I encourage you to utilize the MyBills feature on the Minnesota House of Representatives’ website.
Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so call or email any time.
It’s an honor to represent our community in the Minnesota House.
Sincerely,
Leigh Finke
State Representative – 66A
Committee Assignments:
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Human Services Policy
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Legacy Finance
Legislative Assistant
Robin Mercer-Taylor
robin.mercer-taylor@house.mn.gov