This article was originally posted on 06-25-2021

Bipartisan Budget Bills Pass!

Dear Neighbors,

The Legislature convened a special session on June 14 and we have been hard at work in final negotiations crafting bipartisan budget bills that will fund our state for the next two years. Details on the overall budget agreement and where the Legislature currently is in the process can be found here.

Current Status of Budget Bills
We've reached bipartisan compromise on most budget areas. Here are the bills we have passed thus far.

• Higher Education: Makes investments to ensure students can recover from the unprecedented challenges they've faced over the past year. It will help ensure young people have the ability to thrive as they move forward in the post-pandemic workforce.
• Agriculture: Invests in emerging farmer outreach, urban and youth agriculture, the Farm-to-School initiative, Good Food Access, and funding for environmentally-friendly production practices and conservation techniques.
• Legacy: Invests proceeds from the voter-approved constitutional amendment to protect and enhance Minnesota's outdoor heritage, clean water, arts and cultural heritage, and parks and trails. This year's bill includes water safety grants, including funding to provide scholarships to low-income and at-risk children. Here are some tips from the Minnesota DNR so everyone can enjoy the water safely on a boat, at the beach, or in a pool.
• Climate & Energy: Wind is currently the cheapest form of electricity. Solar, which is already cheaper than any new fossil fuel plants, is expected to be cheaper than wind within five years. House DFLers are committed to helping Minnesotans save money on their energy bills and take advantage of potential savings. For example, we secured funding to install solar energy panels on schools.
• Commerce: The final Commerce budget tackles the record-high catalytic converter theft problem with a series of reforms to deter theft and keep Minnesotans' cars intact. This bill gives law enforcement, scrap metal dealers, and consumers ways to deter thefts by adding identification numbers and unique markers to make it harder to sell stolen parts. Minnesotans want action like this, not just bigger penalties.
• Transportation: Minnesota students deserve to be safe traveling to and from school. Our bill prioritizes student safety by investing in safe routes to school to assist cities, counties, and towns statewide with local infrastructure projects to help ensure that students can safely walk or bike to school. The budget also contains grants to install cameras on school bus stop arms to help catch and enforce stop arm violations.
• Housing: The eviction moratorium put in place by Governor Walz saved lives. Now, as Minnesota begins to bounce back from the pandemic, our compromise housing budget ensures that those who struggled with housing during the pandemic will still have a safe and secure roof over their heads. If you are behind on rent or utilities, apply for aid here.
• Jobs and Labor: Too many Minnesotans are struggling with the high cost of child care, which poses a significant barrier to getting a job and having economic security. DFLers led the way to secure a historic investment to expand access to affordable child care across the state.
• Environment and Natural Resources: We need to create more opportunities for children and young adults to get outdoors and participate in recreational activities. Investments in programs like No Child Left Inside can help inspire the next generation of Minnesotans to appreciate and enjoy the great outdoors.

There are a couple budget bills that have been agreed to but still need to be heard, debated, and discussed on the House Floor. So far, bipartisan agreement has been reached on the following bills:

• Taxes
• Health and Human Services
• Bonding

Public Safety still remains open but we expect it will be wrapped up soon to avoid government shutdown.

Pollinator Week
It's Pollinator Week! This week recognizes the critical role pollinators play in our everyday lives. Our pollinators are in increasing danger and we have to each do our part in helping them recover. Consider planting a native pollinator plant or reducing your use of pesticides this week! You can read more about this week here.



Public Comment Period for MnDOT
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is currently taking public comments on the draft 2022-2025 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). MnDOT welcomes these comments (written, e-mail or telephone) through June 30. I encourage you to provide your input on the important transportation investments that MnDOT will use through 2025. It's important that we all participate to ensure that our transportation system serves everyone.

Stay in Touch
Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.sandra.masin@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-3533. 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. You can also follow me on Facebook here. It's an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Sandra Masin
State Representative
 

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