 Dear Neighbors, There is a lot happening so I'm just going to jump right in. Like you, I’m horrified at the news of a University of Minnesota international graduate student being unlawfully detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week. As more details of the arrest are emerging, it’s abundantly clear this student was denied their legal rights in the U.S. Check out this helpful video with several scenarios if you or a loved one encounters Immigration and Customs Enforcement and needs an action plan. Many of our neighbors have reached out to express their concerns over what they see taking place on the national level. They ask about what can be done to protect Minnesota from the troubling policies we see coming from the federal government. The truth is there’s not always an obvious or easy lever for us to pull at the state level to combat the chaos and cuts coming from the Trump administration, but we’re also not without options. Last week, I joined my DFL colleagues to co-author the “Protect Medicaid, Not Millionaires” Act, which simply states that if President Trump and Congressional Republicans are going to cut Medicaid funding to provide a tax break for those with the most, in Minnesota, we’re going to have those who are most well off pay their fair share until Medicaid is funded to the level our neighbors deserve. Insuring those in need receive their expected Medicaid assistance helps us all – recipients get needed supports to live and stay in their homes. This also means they avoid being pushed to the street, and cities and counties save precious local resources. Tax rates on the highest earning Americans have been cut repeatedly for decades. This has weakened basic services like education, transportation, and healthcare, which are the essential building blocks of healthy communities and a prosperous economy. In the face of yet another federal tax cut for a select few, Minnesota must work to maintain its commitment to funding a just and prosperous society. We’re continuing to work diligently in the House. With all session committee deadlines just around the corner, House leaders announced an agreement Saturday on committee finance targets while crafting a state budget for the next two years. The bipartisan agreement in the House calls for an almost $1.16 billion in funding reductions in the General Fund. The work before us now is crafting a bipartisan budget framework balancing the House targets with the Senate budget targets and the governor’s budget recommendations. Given the current economic forecast indicating a future deficit, a balanced budget approach is essential to safeguard critical services for Minnesotans, particularly those relying on Medicaid and MinnesotaCare to survive. Decriminalizing JaywalkingWhy are we still so focused on strictly enforcing jaywalking, especially when it can disproportionately impact people with disabilities? Imagine someone like Loring Park resident Bryce, navigating the world with different needs. Is a citation really the priority when someone is simply trying to get from point A to point B safely and efficiently, even if it's not the 'textbook' way? You can watch my comments and Bryce’s testimony on my legislative approach to pedestrian safety and inclusivity for all. More Accessible Early Childhood Interventions in DowntownMy bill to assist the St. David’s Center and expansion efforts were heard in the House Capital Investment Committee recently! The critical Early Childhood Assessment, Intervention, and Training Center —right in the heart of downtown Minneapolis— is a critical link for children’s development and mental health. I’m looking forward to partnering with them and am hopeful we can get a bonding bill across the finish line. Combating Consumer FraudText, email, and social media scams are becoming more sophisticated and more prevalent. If you’re like me, you probably have gotten some of these scam texts that say you need to pay a toll or confirm a payment--it's important to be skeptical of such texts. Those E-Z Pass texts are scams, and MnDOT has issued a fraud warning here with resources in case you accidentally click a link. I want to share some helpful resources with you all on how to spot and avoid scams, and where you can go for help if you or someone you know falls victim to these fraudsters. Remember that it’s important to break down the stigma of embarrassment and report any cases so law enforcement can take any actions possible to try to recover funds or stop future scams. Attorney General Keith Ellison has some resources on How to Spot a Scam with helpful examples and a list of common scams. If you have concerns about a particular offer or believe you are the victim of a scam, the Attorney General wants to hear from you. You may call at (651) 296-3353 (Twin Cities Calling Area) or (800) 657-3787 (Outside the Twin Cities), or submit a Consumer Assistance Request Form. Meanwhile, in the State Government Finance Committee on which I serve, we are working on bills to support the Attorney General’s work cracking down on fraud in the public and private sectors. Some proposals include stiffer penalties on Medicaid fraudsters, a fraud investigation unit within the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, fighting against employer misclassification fraud, and protecting veterans from claim sharks that seek to profit off the benefits they earned in service to our country.  Constituent VisitsI had an incredible week connecting with the hardworking members of AFSCME and our brave Minneapolis firefighters, including Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner! It's always inspiring to hear directly from the people who keep our community running and safe.   Celebrating the Minnesota Frost Last week, the Minnesota House honored the Minnesota Frost with a House Resolution celebrating their historic victory in the inaugural Walter Cup PWHL Championship.  I couldn't think of a better time to celebrate the Minnesota Frost's achievement at the end of Women’s History Month, and recognize the history of other Minnesota women's sports teams like the Lynx and the University of Minnesota Women's Hockey team that have made our state so proud! Keep in TouchDue to technological constraints, direct replies to this email won’t reach my inbox. Please reach out anytime rep.katie.jones@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9281 with input, ideas, or to let me know how I can help. Follow me on Facebook and BlueSky for more Capitol and community updates. Thanks for the honor of representing you at the State Capitol! Have a great weekend, Katie Jones
State Representative |