Dear Neighbors,
While a lot of my attention is focused on work at the Capitol, I know many of you are deeply concerned about the Trump administration, Elon Musk, and the chaos caused by executive orders affecting various sectors. I share those same concerns. Cuts to federal funding impact every part of our state.
Minnesota is responding. Attorney General Keith Ellison and his office are working hard to protect Minnesotans from these harmful decisions, especially regarding schools, infrastructure, healthcare, federal workers, and human services. For example, AG Ellison is taking action protecting our data privacy.
As I work on the Education Policy, Education Finance, and Transportation committees, the reckless policies coming from Washington will influence every decision I make. In the coming weeks, I’ll hold a Town Hall with Rep. Elkins, Sen. Mann, and AG Ellingson. I hope you can join us.
MN House
As you may know, there’s a special election in District 40b on March 11. The new representative will be sworn in on March 17. With a 67-66 GOP plurality, committees are currently led by a GOP chair with a one-member advantage. While a simple majority can pass a bill out of committee, however, 68 votes are needed for a bill to pass the House.
If the House becomes tied 67-67, committees will shift to a power-sharing agreement with co-chairs of committees and balanced membership.
I’ve already started collaborating with my GOP colleagues on issues like school bus safety, Veteran support, and education funding. So far over 1,300 bills have been introduced in the House. However, some bills being proposed this session are concerning. If passed, they could have serious consequences for Minnesotans, such as:
- Stopping paid family and medical leave (HF1241)
- Defunding transportation revenue for road and bridges (HF5)
- Eliminating social studies and health standards in schools (HF29/HF65)
- Rolling back environmental protections (HF 9)
- Attacking trans athletes and forcing children as young as 5 to ‘prove’ their gender to anyone who asks (HF12)
- Removing data protections for AG work (HF12)
- Canceling diversity, equity and inclusion support for students (HF6)
While I remain committed to finding common solutions, these bills are dangerous, irresponsible, and unconstitutional. I will continue to fight for our community’s values.
Happy to join my new district partner Rep. Steve Elkins on the dais as session started in earnest.
From our District to the Capitol
Between work on legislation, meeting with constituents is a highlight. Here’s what I’ve been up to:
- Stood with the Reproductive Freedom caucus in a press conference as a co-author of Rep. Leigh Finke’s ERA Amendment bill (HF173). We will do everything we can to protect attempts to roll back protections guaranteed by the PRO Act.
- Authored bills to support Bonding requests from the City of Edina and signed onto requests supporting Bloomington City priorities.
- Brought three Edina High School students in to testify in Ed Finance about the importance of access to mental health services, and what that means to them personally. #gohornets
- Connected with former Edina Public Schools teacher Shannon Seaver of Create MPLS at U of M's policy luncheon on our state's Computer Science Strategic Plan. This key investment gives k-12 students opportunities to learn computer science skills; skills aligned with in-demand computer jobs that are growing at a 10x rate of other careers.
- Co-author to Rep. Alex Falconer's bill (HF309) that would permanently protect and preserve Minnesota's beautiful Boundary Waters.
- Met with constituents Angie Andressen of Minnesota Homecare Association to talk about how I can better support aging Minnesotans and those with disabilities and complex health needs so they can live in their own home as long as possible
- Bloomington City Government in St. Paul to talk about housing and development plans and legislative needs from the state.
Do Something! VEAP Food Shelf
I welcome you to join volunteers with SD50 DFL to support our local food shelf, VEAP, and help raise 1,500 LBS of their most needed items by the end of March. This is a great way to get involved in our community, help out your neighbors and make a difference. You can sign up here.
Stay Connected
I can be reached by email at rep.julie.greene@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-4363 with any questions or thoughts you’d like to share., If you are making a visit to the Capitol, I’d love to hear from you to connect. If you are not already following my legislative updates and would like to receive them on a regular basis, please subscribe here. I also invite you to follow my Facebook here.
As always, it’s an honor to represent you and our communities.
Sincerely,
Julie Greene, District 50A
5th Floor Centennial Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155