Legislative Update: December 19, 2024

Neighbors,

Now that the 2024 elections are over, state representatives at the Minnesota House can start sending regular legislative updates again. Once our session starts on January 14th, my plan is to send out updates every two weeks. I’m excited to start these newsletters up again, and am truly honored to continue to represent you in Saint Paul.

This year’s election resulted in a 67-67 tie in the State House, which hasn’t happened in Minnesota since 1979. DFL Leader Melissa Hortman and Republican Leader Lisa Demuth have been meeting to negotiate how the House will run in the 2025 session, and have agreed to an overall committee structure. The membership of committees will be equally divided and represented by DFL and Republican co-chairs. 

Recently, Leaders Hortman and Demuth announced memberships of these committees, and I am honored to continue as Vice Chair of the Energy Finance and Policy Committee. In 2023-24, this was called the Climate & Energy Finance and Policy Committee. I am a bit annoyed that Republicans pushed to drop “Climate” from the name. It is my continued hope that addressing climate change will not be a partisan issue. We can disagree on how to address it, which I think is healthy and productive. But given all the impacts we are seeing in Minnesota and around the country, it is disappointing that the name was changed. 

In addition, I was appointed to the Transportation and State & Local Government Committees. I was on Transportation last term, but State & Local Government will be new for me. I think it will be a good fit, having served on St. Louis Park City Council before joining the Legislature. I’m quite happy with my committee assignments and am looking forward to getting to work! As we continue to learn more details about the upcoming 2025 session, I’ll share updates with you here.   

Assistant Leader

I’ve also been recently elected by my colleagues in the House DFL Caucus as one of our six Assistant Leaders. In this role I’ll be responsible for communications between members and leadership, especially in regards to messaging, key legislation, caucus issues, and floor strategy.

Happy Holidays

First, I hope you and your families have had a memorable and safe holiday season. As we celebrate and head into the new year, I wish you all a bright 2025.

New Laws in Effect January 1st

On January 1, some of the new policies and investments we passed at the State Capitol will take effect, including a ban on “junk fees”, employers being required to post salary ranges with job listings, and banning lightbulbs with dangerous mercury. 

You can read about these new laws and more in this nonpartisan summary.

You’re Invited to a Town Hall 

On January 8th, I’ll be hosting a town hall at the St. Louis Park Public Library starting at 6:30pm. Join me as I answer questions about the 2023-2024 legislative sessions, share some of my priorities for next session, and discuss pretty much whatever you’d like. Please come if you can!

In the Community 

There will be several community holiday events in the weeks ahead, some highlights include:

Disco Ball Ice Skating

Dec. 20, 5:45 – 7:15pm

ROC, 3700 Monterey Drive

The event is for all ages.

Fee: free (Ice skate rentals available for $3 per person.)

“Be the Light” Solstice Walk

Dec. 21, 6:00 – 8:30pm

Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W. Franklin Ave

The event is for all ages.

Fee: free, REGISTRATION REQUIRED

New Year's Eve at the ROC (Ice Skating)

Dec. 31, 4 – 6 pm

ROC, 3700 Monterey Drive

Before you go out for the night, come skate at the ROC with music and refreshments. The event is for all ages.

Fee: free (Ice skate rentals available for $3 per person.)

Stay in Touch

If you have questions, ideas, or feedback  you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email me at rep.larry.kraft@house.mn.gov or call (651) 296-7026. For more regular updates, you can “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Larry Kraft

State Representative