 Dear neighbors, It’s hard to believe May is already upon us! I hope you’re enjoying springtime and looking forward to the nicer weather. With our constitutionally required adjournment date of May 19 right around the corner, I’m glad to report our work has been productive, passing several of our major budget proposals off the House Floor in recent days. As is the situation we’re in as a tied House, no bill is able to pass if it’s significantly opposed by either side of the aisle. The result has been compromise budgets that aren’t perfect - there’s plenty “I’m not crazy about, nor are my GOP colleagues” comments in bill presentations as the GOP and DFL co-chairs present the bills together. We still have had several House budgets left to pass this week, but here is a nonpartisan breakdown of the ones we’ve passed so far: Yesterday, we passed the State Government Finance budget. I’m grateful for Co-Chair Ginny Klevorn and Co-Chair Jim Nash and their work on the State Government bill that will support our elections, combat fraud, and much more.  Things are moving swiftly in the education arena. Co-Chair Kresha and I presented our budget agreement in the House Education Finance Committee, Tax Committee, and the Ways & Means Committee this week. As a compromise, the initial bill agreement removed unemployment insurance from our school’s hourly workers after the summer of 2028. But like many tentative agreements that take place in negotiations, things can change when you talk with your membership. Our DFL membership does not want to take unemployment insurance benefits away from our bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodians, nutrition staff, and clerical workers. Before the addition of UI for our school hourly workers in 2023, this particular group of workers were the only hourly workers working more than three months a year, that had been denied UI benefits that all other seasonal Minnesota workers have. While we are back to the drawing board, I still have hope that we will come to an agreement on a House K-12 budget bill that we can bring into negotiations with the Senate and the Governor’s office.  Keeping Minnesotans Safe on the RoadWe also passed legislation that puts more guardrails on driving for repeat DWI offenders. Thanks to Rep. Larry Kraft’s partnership with the incredible advocates from Methodist Hospital & Park Tavern, repeat drunk drivers will remain on ignition interlock longer and will be required to get treatment. I’m grateful to have been a small part of this work to get this across the finish line for our community and state.  Constituent Visits I had a school visit from 4th & 5th graders from Highland Elementary in Edina who had great observations about the Capitol, questions about how a bill becomes a law, and an ideas for a law requiring recess in middle school and a four-day school week.  Organization Teach for America stopped by to talk about the work they have been doing to get more teachers in our classrooms.  May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander MonthMay marks Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich contributions, diverse cultures, and important history of AANHPI communities in Minnesota and across our country. I invite you to join me in celebrating the many ways these communities have strengthened and enriched our state through their leadership, innovation, and resilience.  Keep in TouchPlease continue to contact me anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889 with questions, input, or to let me know how I can help. It’s an honor to represent you and our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina neighbors in the Minnesota House. Have a great weekend!  Cheryl Youakim
State Representative |