Neighbors, The 2023 legislative session has concluded, and we achieved many of the major goals we set in January. I knew this would be an important session, and we kept our promises to improve the lives of Minnesotans. I am especially proud of our work to invest in the caring professions. We delivered historic pay increases for Personal Care Attendants (PCAs), Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Assistive living staff, nursing home staff, loan forgiveness for nurses, and childcare. I served on the Human Services Finance and Policy committees and was proud to carry both the PCA wage bill and the recruitment and retention bonuses for the caregiver bill to ensure the people doing our most important work know how much we value them.  This session we put people first. We centered every policy from childcare, education, higher education, disability services, bonding projects and so much more on Minnesota workers and families. We enacted policies to make Minnesota the best place to work, live and raise a family. You can read more about our budget bills in the nonpartisan Session Daily summaries: Veterans and Military Affairs, Housing, Higher Education, Legacy, Agriculture, Early Education, Public Safety and Judiciary, K-12 Education, Jobs and Labor, Environment and Energy, Commerce, State Government and Elections, Human Services, Taxes, Transportation, Health, Capital Investment, Cannabis, and Paid Family and Medical Leave.  The last day of session, the House and Senate both approved the Capital Investment infrastructure bills, which are now on their way to Gov. Walz for his signature. This bipartisan package of legislation (HF669 and HF670) invests in jobs and infrastructure projects throughout the state and delivers important and needed projects for our area. Our quality of life will be enhanced by these investments. As a mom, I understand the importance of these projects and the benefit for our families. This is a bright day for our local communities and communities throughout the state. Local projects in the bill include the Rochester Community and Technical College Heintz Center Design, Willow Creek Trail, Olmsted County Pollution Control, Olmsted County US14/CSAH44 interchange, Rochester Park-and-Ride Design, Olmsted Graham Park Redevelopment, City of Rochester Regional Parks, Children’s Museum of Rochester, Flood Hazard protection for Kasson, Root River State Trail, Chester Woods Trail, North Zumbro Sanitary District. Stay Connected with the LegislaturePlease 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 |