Dear Neighbors,
I’m excited to share that the 2024 Legislative Session started off great this week because of all the work that my colleagues and I did in the interim. After the historically productive 2023 Legislative Session, DFLers remain committed to improving people’s lives and building a Minnesota that works better for everyone. In 2024, my House DFL colleagues and I will continue working side by side with neighbors and community members together – rooted in the values we all share – to lower the cost of living, deliver economic security for working families, and ensure everyone has the tools they need to thrive.
I was honored to co-host with Rep. Jay Xiong the esteemed Reverend Carl Johnson from Faith City Church on Tuesday when he served as Chaplain of the Day.
Computer Science Bill
This week, I introduced HF 3492 to fund computer science programs for students and invest in teachers who can teach them these new courses. Currently, Minnesota ranks last in the nation for access to high school computer science courses, with stark disparities among high schools in urban areas. Last year, I successfully championed legislation to invest $1 million to create a working group to finalize a computer science plan for Minnesota students. The bill also funded a full-time position at the Department of Education dedicated to streamlining computer science education in Minnesota schools. This year’s bill is the next step in ensuring students across Minnesota have access to computer science courses.
Enacted Laws
2024 began with several impactful bills taking effect, bringing positive changes to Minnesotans' lives. Including:
- Stronger tenant protections: New laws strengthen protections for renters, promoting fairer housing practices and stability for Minnesotans.
- Transparency in hiring: Prohibiting past pay disclosure in the hiring process helps combat wage discrimination and promotes fairer hiring practices.
- Free menstrual products: School districts and charter schools must now provide free menstrual products to students, ensuring period equity and removing a barrier to education.
- Earned sick and safe time: Nearly all workers in Minnesota now have the right to accrue paid sick and safe time, offering greater security and flexibility in managing personal needs.
- Pay increases for home care workers
This list just scratches the surface. Last year we made plenty of other historic movements that will improve the lives of all Minnesotans, like paid family medical leave, providing free school meals for students, codifying reproductive freedom, and providing emergency funding for food shelves across the state.
Child Tax Credit
As a proud member of the Tax Conference Committee, I am proud of the nation-leading Child Tax Credit that we passed, which will cut child poverty in Minnesota by at least one-third! Minnesota families will save up to $1,750 for each dependent. Families must file a 2023 income tax return to claim this credit. If you need help with tax preparation, you can check here or here for local organizations that can help. Many public libraries in St. Paul offer free tax assistance.
Stay Connected
To stay up to date with our important work at the State Capitol, you can see the Minnesota House of Public Information Services’ nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication.
You can also stay up to date with the latest by following my Facebook page and Twitter.
To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out here. For meetings, please email my new legislative assistant Madison at Madison.Bailey@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4277, and I will be happy to help. 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.
Zoo siab,
Rep. Liz Lee (67A)
Minnesota State Representative