Neighbors, Thank you to those who attended our Town Hall on Saturday. We had a great turnout with respectful, insightful questions. I am appreciative to my constituents who gave up time on a busy Saturday to attend. The Post Bulletin covered the event and you can read about it here.  Update from the Capitol Since session convened, the pace has been quick, and we have advanced some major bills. I joined my colleagues to act quickly to pass an early federal tax conformity bill. HF 31 brings Minnesota into alignment with federal tax law, resulting in over $100 million in tax cuts to a wide range of Minnesotans while simplifying future tax filings. Last week, we ensured women are in control of their reproductive health by passing HF 1, a bill I co-authored. This measure says Minnesotans – not the government – will determine whether and when to become a parent. The bill protects Minnesotans’ right to contraception, the right to carry a pregnancy to term, and the right to abortion, and ensures the right to privacy for personal reproductive health decisions. It also prevents interference by anti-choice politicians who seek to enact or defend medically unnecessary barriers to comprehensive reproductive health care. The PRO Act enshrines protections for all reproductive health care, including but not limited to contraception, sterilization, preconception care, maternity care, abortion care, protecting Minnesotans from a court case overturning their already held rights. My Committee Action In the Human Services Policy Committee, HF 16 was advanced. The bill prohibits mental health practitioners or mental health professionals from providing conversion therapy to vulnerable adults and clients under age 18 and specifies such therapy is not covered by medical assistance. The bill also prohibits fraudulent or deceptive advertising practices relating to conversion therapy. In the Higher Education Finance & Policy Committee, we received overviews and presentations on higher education funding and a review from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The Children and Families Finance & Policy Committee we passed the food shelf relief bill and advanced the measure to extend childcare provider relief to help our providers continue their good work, and continue to invest in ECFE programs. In the Community It is always a joy when residents travel to St. Paul and last week, the We Choose Us – Rochester group, gathered in the Capitol rotunda to rally for legislation to protect our democratic institutions and strengthen communities making democracy possible.  On Martin Luther King Day last week, my kids and I attended the Rochester breakfast and walk.  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. You can find my information on my House website. You can also like my Facebook page. It is an honor to represent you at the State Capitol. Sincerely, Kim Hicks State Representative |