Dear Neighbors,
At the House we have been working night and day to craft and pass our various budget bills. While there is still a lot of session left this puts us in the final stretch!
Here is an update from the Capitol:
Disaster Relief
Our community is going through some tough times with the increased snow melt and expected flooding to follow. To help our communities like ours the House voted to allocate $40 million to replenish the state’s Disaster Assistance Contingency Account. I am a proud supporter of this bill and pushed hard to see it pass.
The Disaster Assistance Contingency Account, signed into law in 2014, expedites assistance to communities burdened with damages to public property and infrastructure like roads, utilities, and public buildings. Prior to the passage of the law, the Minnesota Legislature was required to convene each time a disaster was declared in order to appropriate funds toward community recovery efforts, often in a special session.
Almanac Interview
The Almanac recently interviewed me and asked about my motivation to serve our community and what I hope to accomplish at the Capitol. Listen to that interview here.
Private Prison Ban
We also passed a bill off the floor that would effectively ban private prisons in the state. A 2016 report by the Justice Department found that, in general, private prisons provide fewer correctional services at greater security and safety risk to inmates and staff, without producing substantial savings.
Minnesota joins at least five other states that have passed legislation aiming to reduce, limit, or ban private prisons. President Biden issued an executive order in January 2021 that will phase out the Justice Department’s use of private prisons, and Minnesota has not had any private prisons since the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton closed in 2010.
House Passes K-12 Education Bill
Last week we passed our education budget plan to deliver transformational investments to support our students and school staff as well as stabilize our public school funding. This is a fantastic bill which makes long overdue investments across our education system. I’m proud to say that my bill to improve funding for transportation in geographically sparse districts is included. This will mean more funds for more school districts so more students can get to class safe and on time. Watch my speech on the issue here.
House Housing Budget Bill
Last week we passed our Housing budget bill. Every Minnesotan deserves a safe and affordable place they can call home. With evictions skyrocketing, homelessness increasing, home ownership gaps widening, and a severe shortage of affordable homes to rent or own, it is time for bold action. Our budget is the largest housing investment in state history, which is needed to make sure everyone has a safe place to call home. This budget is a great investment and I’m proud to have voted for it.
House Higher Ed Budget Proposal
We also passed our proposed Higher Education budget. With declining enrollment across higher education, we’re providing a record increase in investment for Minnesota’s colleges and universities. Our budget prioritizes a higher education system that is accessible, affordable, and effectively building the skilled workforce Minnesota deserves.
2023 Legacy Budget Bill
In 2008, Minnesota’s voters passed the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment because all of us want our state to be a great place to live, work, and play. Last week, House DFLers passed legislation investing over $820 million to continue the important work of restoring, enhancing, and protecting Minnesota’s most treasured spaces and places and increasing access for all.
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