Legislative Update – April 5, 2024
Dear neighbors,
We are at the mid-point of the 2024 Legislative Session, and legislators will begin passing policy bill packages that build on our historic progress from last year, grow the middle class, and support working Minnesotans.
Many pieces of legislation I’ve authored this year are moving forward in these policy bills, including in the Public Safety, Judiciary, and Human Services packages. I will share updates on those as they pass the House Floor!
Disability Advocacy Rally
It was so inspiring to join our neighbors with disabilities and advocates on Disability Advocacy Day at the Capitol late last month. Folks from across the state came to make their voice heard and advocate for legislation.
I was proud to speak at the rally and will continue partnering with the community to push these laws forward this session! You can watch WCCO’s coverage and read more here: Disability advocates rally for legislation at Minnesota Capitol.
House Floor Votes
This week the House began passing policy bill packages in major issue areas building on the work of our historically productive 2023 session and improving the lives of Minnesotans. The House passed two policy bills supporting our Departments of Military Affairs and Veterans Affairs, which passed with unanimous support!
We passed a higher education policy bill that includes the clean energy sector in our Workforce Development Scholarship Program and expands support in higher education for students who have a disability. We also passed an early education policy bill focused on strengthening our pre-kindergarten and school readiness programs. Finally, we passed a transportation policy package that improves road safety, DVS wait times, child passenger safety, and consumer protections.
Trans Day of Visibility
March 31st is the annual International Trans Day of Visibility, and I was proud to join my colleagues to raise awareness about and celebrate transgender people at the State Capitol on March 27th.
On International Transgender Day of Visibility, we celebrate the rich history and invaluable contributions of trans, gender-expansive, and two-spirit individuals to our nation. Last year, the Queer Legislators Caucus spearheaded the fight to protect our trans community by advocating for an Executive Order which led to the passing of the Trans Refuge bill. Minnesota has emerged as a national leader in advancing legislative initiatives to safeguard the rights and well-being of its LGBTQIA2S+ community.
We will continue to do everything in our power to protect our two-spirit, non-binary, enby, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community so they can live openly without discrimination and embrace their human rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our LGBTQIA2S+ neighbors. You can read the Queer Legislators Caucus' press release here.
Stay Connected!
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Sincerely,
Brion Curran
State Representative