Legislative Update
Following up on last week's update, we are still in the midst of budget bill negotiations and while many of them have passed, we still have some significant pieces of legislation to hear in the coming weeks – including my Humans Services bill that’s set to be debated on the House Floor this coming Monday. Following the vote on this bill, I will be sure to give you an update. In the meantime, I’d like to share with you the budget and policy bills we passed this week.
Budget & Policy Bills Passed This Week
HF 2438 Transportation
Focus: Roads, Safety, and Fiscal Responsibility
- Redirects $99 million from underperforming transit projects into road and highway improvements.
- Prioritizes ready-to-go infrastructure that benefits commuters, job creators, and rural communities.
- Ensures electric vehicles contribute to road maintenance.
- Includes key safety upgrades: bridge repairs, pedestrian improvements, and anti-DWI efforts.
HF 2431 Higher Education
Focus: Smart Budgeting, Student Support
- Holds overall funding steady while solving a shortfall in the State Grant program.
- Cuts waste by phasing out underused programs and reclaiming unneeded funds.
- Maintains student aid without increasing spending—just better prioritization.
SF 1959 Veterans and Military Affairs
Focus: Honoring Service, Supporting Families
- Expands access to mental health resources for veterans.
- Fixes pension credit issues for National Guard members deployed for state emergencies.
- Funds a new Capitol memorial honoring Gold Star and Blue Star families.
SF 2298 / HF 2309 Housing Finance and Policy
Focus: Supply, Affordability, Growth
- 60% of funding directed toward new housing construction.
- Dedicates $10 million to rural workforce housing.
- Avoids new mandates or politically driven programs—purely practical investment.
- Supports long-term housing stability by increasing supply.
Focus: Transparency, Balance, Ballot Security
- Requires bipartisan staffing wherever ballots are processed.
- Enhances voting system security with password and key protocols.
- Strengthens absentee ballot procedures.
- Bans voting in cannabis facilities to keep polling places neutral and secure.
Let's Continue Working Together
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I always welcome feedback and would be happy to meet with you to discuss any issues that matter to you. You can reach me at rep.joe.schomacker@house.mn.gov or call 651.296.5505 to schedule a visit.
Have a great weekend and thank you for your continued support!
Joe Schomacker