Dear Neighbors,
The first month of session has passed in a bit of blur as we are striving to be historically productive. For too long gridlock has dominated politics at the Capitol, so we are working hard to make up for lost time.
I had a fun time visiting the World Snow Sculpting Championship in Lowell Park last week. Love our community!
Fighting Forever Chemicals
You may have heard about polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which are prevalent chemicals which are very toxic. PFAS chemicals are linked to immune system disorders, lower birth weights, infertility, lower IQ in children, thyroid issues, and deadly cancers. If you haven’t, you can learn about them here. We recently announced several bills to restrict the use of these chemicals and to clean them from our environment and water. Watch the emotional press conference on this issue here.
Restore the Vote Act
Last night, the Minnesota House voted to pass the Restore the Vote Act. The bill would restore voting rights to individuals convicted of a felony upon completion of incarceration. Twenty-one other states, including our neighbor North Dakota, already restore voting rights upon release, and I was proud to cast my ballot to join them. This is a great bill which makes our state more just and democratic.
Governor Bill Signings
Just as the House has been hard at work passing bills, the Governor has signed them just as promptly. This week he signed the CROWN Act, which will prevent discrimination based on natural hair or texture and the PRO Act which guarantees abortion rights. So many have worked so hard since Roe v. Wade was overturned to protect individual freedom to choose in Minnesota. Thank you to everyone who made this historic week happen.
Driver’s Licenses for All
On Monday the House passed our ‘Driver’s Licenses for All' bill which would allow all Minnesota residents to obtain a license regardless of immigration status. This is an important bill which will make our roads safer while restoring dignity and a critical privilege to our immigrant communities. Thank you to the community members who have been working tirelessly to change this law for the last 20 years when it was first implemented. You can watch the exciting moments after it passed here.
Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.josiah.hill@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-4124. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here, and follow my Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch!
Sincerely,
Josiah Hill, District 33B
415 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155