Dear Neighbors,
We are truly in the final stretch of session, with only 10 days left we are meeting in conference committees with our Senate colleagues to hash out the final versions of our various bills designed to improve the lives of working- and middle-class Minnesotans. Be sure to follow me on Facebook to receive more frequent updates. Here’s an update from the Capitol.
I had a great time visiting with Stillwater High School students and students from Oak-Land Middle School as they visited the Capitol. This is one of the best parts about the job!
House Passes K-12 Budget Bill
Last week we passed a strong K-12 supplemental budget bill that makes significant investments in the future of our children. With provisions like the Read Act 2.0, we are ensuring that every child will have a quality and lasting education.
House Budget Bills Passed
The House has passed each of its supplemental budget and policy bills off of the floor, covering important issues such as labor, housing, the environment, and more. Our work this year builds on last year’s historic successes and works to improve the lives of working and middle class Minnesotans. Recently, we passed:
- A broadly bipartisan bill investing $240 million in our outdoors, clean water, parks and trails, and cultural heritage from the Legacy Amendment fund.
- An Environment and Natural Resources bill with new investments in tree planting, improving air quality, holding repeat polluters accountable, and tackling solid waste and recycling.
- A Children and Families bill that reforms our child protection system and builds on historic investments in economic support for families, food security, and emergency shelter.
- A Transportation, Labor, and Housing bill that invests in railroad safety and public transit, enhances worker rights and safety, improves housing stability for renters and seniors, and funds homelessness prevention.
- A Workforce and Economic Development bill, securing investments for employment and training programs,
- A Taxes bill improving the tax system for working class Minnesotans by expanding the Child Tax Credit and creating a direct tax filing system.
- An Elections bill that strengthens our elections for local units of government.
- A Health bill which expands access to health care coverage, makes care more affordable by reducing cost sharing, and reforms medical debt to ensure all Minnesotans have the quality health care they deserve.
- And an Energy, Commerce and Agriculture bill which speeds up our clean energy transition, increases data privacy standards for Minnesotans, and improves critical agriculture programs.
Gun Violence Prevention
Over last week we passed a slate of bills that will reduce gun violence in Minnesota and save lives. Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the United States and it's time that we take action to make Minnesota a safer place to live. Our bills require the safe storage of firearms, require the report of missing firearms, crack down on straw purchasing, and ban binary triggers. I’m proud to have voted for each one of these critical bills that will save lives.
Statehood Day
This Saturday, May 11, 2024, Minnesota celebrates 166 years of statehood. The Minnesota State Flag and Seal approved by the State Emblems Redesign Commission early this year will become the official state emblems. This is a culmination of months gathering input from and engaging with Minnesotans to find consensus on a flag and seal that represents the best of all of us.
Join a State Board, Council, or Committee!
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State recently released a notice of vacancies for various state boards, councils and committees that are accepting applications. Any Minnesotans interested in public service are encouraged to apply! There are positions for people from all backgrounds and professions, from cosmetologists to engineers.
You can find the full list of vacancies 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