Dear Neighbors,
In these past few weeks at the Capitol, my colleagues and I have worked diligently to move legislation through committees and are gearing up for busy weeks ahead on the House Floor. We are building on the historic achievements of last session, advancing legislation that improves the economy for working families, increases access to affordable housing, and makes health care affordable for all Minnesotans, and more.
Here are my latest updates:
Bonding
The tools we’ll use in this session became clearer in recent weeks when the budget and economic forecast was released. The forecast shows Democrats have Minnesota on the right path. The transformational budget we enacted during the historically productive 2023 Legislative Session has laid the groundwork for enduring prosperity, sustained growth, and a future where every Minnesotan can thrive.
For my work a dedicated Capital Investment Committee, this forecast not only shows the positive impact of our recent investments and policies, but it also provides us with the capacity to address some of Minnesota’s dire infrastructure needs. Touring communities throughout the state last fall, the House Capital Investment Committee saw hundreds of projects worthy of state investment, far outpacing our bond capacity.
As we craft our proposal for this year’s Capital Investment Bill, the latest numbers show that more projects - protecting what we have, building what we need, and addressing communities too often left behind - can be funded this year. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver the Capital Investment Bill Minnesotans deserve.
Environment, Climate, and Energy
Building off of the historic 2023 session, we are keeping to our promise of ushering an equitable green energy transition for all Minnesotans in addition to increasing our environmental justice initiatives. In these past couple of weeks, I have introduced and presented a slate of bills to address some critical issues affecting our tribal communities.
I’m particularly enthusiastic about HF 4193 that would enable the University of Minnesota to fully move forward with the agreement to return the land encompassed by the Cloquet Forestry Center (approximately 3400 acres and located entirely within the reservation boundaries) to the Fond du Lac Band. A pair of federal laws in the 1880s permitted the U.S. government to parcel out and transfer Fond du Lac Band’s land to Cloquet lumber companies, where it was used for extensive logging operations. Much of the 3,400 acres of land that comprises the forestry center was acquired by the University over 100 years ago from the Department of the Interior at a fraction of the appraised value at the time. More than a hundred years later, these laws have had lasting consequences on Indian country. This bill is another step in the complex and lengthy process of rematriating the land. This has been a collaborative effort between the Fond du Lac Band, the University of Minnesota, and the State of Minnesota.
Assimilation, forced removal, and “land grab" policies not only attempted to break apart Indigenous families, devastate ecosystems, and eliminate Native languages, but also worked to weaken land claims and Tribal land ownership. The checkboard system of land ownership on many reservations historically left communities and landowners unable to make basic decisions about their homelands. These bills put the power back in the hands of Tribal communities to determine how their lands are used — from conservation to economic development while creating greater transparency and economic strength for local and state government. Read my full press release on the bills here.
Labor
DFLers are putting hardworking Minnesotan’s first! We understand how the current system often leaves workers vulnerable to exploitation. We are working to address minimum wage laws, tackle wage theft in the construction industry, the misclassification of employees, increase pay transparency, and many more provisions which put workers first and strengthen Minnesota’s labor industry.
I presented HF 4050, a bill to standardize minimum wage, in the Labor and Industry Finance and Policy Committee. Virtually all employees would be entitled to the state’s current minimum wage for large employers of $10.85 an hour. The lower minimum wage of $8.85 an hour would be eliminated for small businesses, employees under 18 years old, and workers on J visas in the hospitality industry. Equalizing worker compensation laws isn't just fair, it fuels economic growth. Fair pay for equal work also boosts morale, empowers workers, and puts more money in the pockets of workers and their families to spend, strengthening businesses and our economy. I’m grateful for all the people who made this bill possible and am especially proud to share that this bill has been included in the Labor and Industry policy bill that it’s headed to the House Floor. I look forward to getting it across the finish line and signed into law!
Let’s Stay Connected!
Working alongside you to improve lives in our community keeps me inspired, and I want to ensure you have convenient ways to stay connected. From quick questions to scheduling community events, I'm here to listen and help. Reach out anytime at rep.alicia.kozlowski@house.mn.gov or call me at 651-296-2228. You can follow my new Facebook and Twitter pages. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts and ideas, get involved in local initiatives, or simply say hello!
As your representative in the Minnesota House, I'm proud to fight alongside you in advocating for your needs and bring the Capitol closer to our community.
In community,
Rep. Alicia ‘Liish’ Kozlowski
(They/Them), Pronouns
Two-Spirit, Niizh Manidoowag
Minnesota House of Representatives