Dear Neighbors,
Over these past two weeks, we have worked night and day to pass historic budgets and fulfill the promises we made at the beginning of session. Every single one of our budgets is designed to benefit as many Minnesotans as possible while lifting up those in need. As mentioned in my last update we passed amazing bills last week like our generational investment in public education.
Here’s what we accomplished this week
Public Safety
- Our public safety budget makes record investments in law enforcement and crime prevention measures.
- Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. We can’t allow that to continue. That’s why our bill contains red flag laws and improved background checks, making all of our children safer.
- With increased funding for things like the Bureau of Criminal affairs, more crimes will be solved across the state making every community safer. We also invest in community crime prevention to prevent crime and violence before it happens.
Taxes
- Our tax bill contains the largest tax cut in state history, and returns a great deal of the surplus to Minnesotans who need it the most, like our most vulnerable seniors and lower income families.
- It also contains rebates and credits for property taxes, meaning renters and homeowners will get more back than ever before.
- We also included a large increase for local government and county aid. This means local governments will receive more funds to complete day-to-day services, so won’t have to rely on property taxes as much.
Judiciary and Civil Law
- “Liberty and justice for all” is a central principle of our country, but too often folks don’t receive justice if they don’t have enough wealth. Our judiciary budget makes our justice system more equal.
- This bill fully funds public defenders and civil legal services so you can get the help you need no matter your income.
- We also increased funding for the Department of Human Rights so we can better track and stop hate crimes.
Health
- Health care should be simple, affordable, and accessible to everyone. Our health budget makes transformational investments that make health care more affordable for everyone.
- We begin the process of creating an option for people to sign up for MNsure so everyone has access to an affordable and reliable plan.
- The bill also includes significant funding for mental health, meaning that more Minnesotans will get the help they need when they need it.
Here’s what we’ve accomplished previously.
Education
- Our education budget plan will 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.
Children and Families
- The House DFL Children & Families budget bills invest more than $2 billion, over four years, in early care and learning, homelessness supports, food security, child welfare, and more.
- Investments in the early years have the biggest payoff. But decades of chronic underfunding have left early care and learning in deep crisis - unaffordable for families and paying poverty wages to caregivers. That’s why our bill takes action to reverse this trend
Housing
- 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.
Environment and Climate
- Our Environment and Climate bill addresses current environmental threats and invests in a clean future.
- We are devoting over $670 million to preserving our natural resources, protecting Minnesotans from dangerous chemicals, and supporting our state’s wildlife.
- By investing $348 million to lower energy costs, create clean-energy jobs, and keep Minnesota a renewable energy leader, we are putting our state on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050 and creating a brighter future for all Minnesotans.
Elections
- In 2022, with democracy squarely on the ballot, Minnesotans of every race, generation, region, and background showed up to participate in democracy and protect it.
- The best way to protect democracy is to expand it, which is why we voted this week to pass the Democracy for the People Act.
- This bill expands voter participation and limits the influence of dark money in our elections. These are just a few of the provisions of the bill that will help us ensure that every Minnesotan has the freedom to vote and power is firmly in the hands of the people.
Veterans Bills
- Last year, lawmakers recognized those who served in the military following the 9/11 attacks with Veterans’ Service Bonuses. This year, House DFLers are expanding eligibility for these bonuses to Minnesotans who reside in our state now but were not Minnesota residents at the time they entered service.
- When veterans return home, they deserve a safe, supportive place to call home, and the investments in the Veterans and Military Affairs budget will help Minnesota reach “functional zero” for veterans’ homelessness.
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