Dear Neighbors,
We have 6 days left to complete our work at the Minnesota Legislature this year. We’ve been spending long days on the House Floor, passing bipartisan bills. Much of this weekend will be dedicated to negotiations between the House and Senate, finalizing legislation that can then be sent to Governor Walz.
By nature of the tie in the House, and the narrow party divide in the Senate, the bills we are passing are compromises. I can say that many of these pieces of legislation would look very different were they my ideal version and were the House DFL to have just one more vote.
Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR)
Last week we passed a solid bipartisan agreement that funds many wonderful projects across the state with the LCCMR and community grants bill. These funds will go to projects in every corner of the state. The Community Grants portion is a new program that was set up with the constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2024. Since this is a new program we made sure to reach out to the Legislative Auditor to make sure we incorporate proper accountability provisions in the bill we sent to the Senate.
Throughout this session there have been strong disagreements on various pieces of legislation, but through it all we stayed civil and courteous and focused on the issues. This agreement is a result of that difficult work and get to yes mentality.
Saving HCMC
The closure of Hennepin County Medical Center would be catastrophic for Minnesotans. HCMC is a shining example of how our health care system *should* work — they accept patients from across the state regardless of whether they have insurance or the ability to pay massive medical bills.
In the richest country in the history of the world, people should not be forced to go without the care they need to survive. But federal cuts to Medicaid and the broken for-profit dystopia of America’s health care system could lead to HCMC shutting down by JUNE.
The House DFL brought forward legislation that would be an ongoing solution. There will be a lot of ongoing discussion as to the exact way to save HCMC. Ultimately, if we don’t find a solution, Minnesotans will die and receive worse care and health outcomes.
Senate Pass Gun Violence Prevention Legislation
The Minnesota Senate passed major gun violence prevention legislation this week, less than a year after the Annunciation mass shooting that took the lives of two children and injured 28 others. This is such an important direct action that we need, and our community has demanded. There is no such thing as powerlessness to prevent gun violence, it’s time to confront it head on. This bill only needs a single GOP vote to pass in the House.
It’s way past time that we get this done and I will do everything I can to pass it here in the House. If not this year, then next.
Boundary Waters
We refuse to let international mining companies and the most corrupt administration in history sell out our most critical natural environment. Shame on GOP Legislators for betraying their state, we won't forget. We also won't back down, Minnesota is for Minnesotans, not corporate mining exploitation. We will save the Boundary Waters!
Get involved here.
Office of Inspector General Headed Passes!
Our bill to create an independent Office of the Inspector General just passed in the Minnesota House and Senate! Let’s be very clear: this was a DFL bill, written by a DFL legislator, and passed with broad bipartisan support. Stopping fraud is not a partisan issue, but it is an important one, and this legislation is a step toward better protecting Minnesota’s public dollars.
Keep in touch
Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so call (651) 296-5363 or email any time at rep.peter.fischer@house.mn.gov. You can find my information on my House website.
Sincerely,
Peter Fischer