Neighbors, We are back at the Capitol after a midweek weather pause last week. I was working from Rochester instead of the Capitol the last half of last week and appreciated seeing many of you out in the community. This is already shaping up to be a very busy week, as committee chairs have scheduled hearings all day and, in some cases, in the evening. The pace will continue to quicken, and we will hear many bills as committee deadlines near. Already this week, two of my bills have received committee hearings. HF1384 relates to Medical Assistance for those with disabilities and was heard in Human Services Policy and HF1672 funds a grant to Quality Parenting Initiative Minnesota to support children and families experiencing foster care placements. The measure was heard in Children, Families Finance & Policy yesterday. Discussing the Legislative SessionYou are invited to the next Huddle with Hicks on Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m.  Budget Forecast Minnesota Management and Budget released the economic forecast this week and the projections remained largely unchanged from the November forecast. Numbers only tell part of the story. House DFLers believe the state budget is not only a fiscal document but is a moral document reflecting Minnesotans’ values. I am committed to listening to you as we craft our budget, ensuring Minnesota is a place everyone can thrive and succeed. Celebrating WomenMarch is Women’s History Month. This is an excellent time to honor the contributions of our predecessors and celebrate all women who improve our lives and communities every day.  Stay Connected with the LegislatureIt 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, and follow me on Twitter. It is an honor to represent you at the State Capitol. Sincerely, Kim Hicks State Representative |