 Legislative Update from Rep. Cheryl YouakimDear Neighbors, Spring has finally sprung. I hope you get a chance to be outside this weekend! To our neighbors celebrating, Eid Mubarak!  We’re nearing the halfway point of the legislative session. Next week on Friday, we have our first and second committee deadline. This is a point in our work where each bill that contains policy must have gone through the committee process in each body (the House or Senate) to advance either to the floor or to a finance committee if there is also a cost. On Monday this week, we attempted to pass legislation to release existing funds for emergency rental assistance. These funds would be paid directly to landlords after the tenant applies through the current rental assistance structure. Operation Metro Surge has wreaked havoc on our local economy, not just in the Twin Cities, but especially in the western suburbs. In fact, a group of Suburban mayors, including mayors from Hopkins, Edina, and St. Louis Park, have joined together to ask for state assistance for the overtime and additional resources our local cities have had to provide to keep our neighbors safe. On the Floor this week, the House passed $9 million dollars to be directed to Minnesota’s supportive housing providers who were impacted by harmful federal cuts. This is another example of the feds leaving us as a state to step up to provide emergency gap coverage. We’re doing the best we can with a modest state budget, but with the rate of uninsured in Minnesota climbing to the highest level in 6 years, an average gas price now more than 80 cents higher than one month ago, $160 billion in federal tariffs taken from Minnesotans, rapidly rising energy costs, we’ve got to do more to expand our state economy and grow Minnesota’s shrinking middle class. You can read more about our Affordability Plan here.  In the House Education Policy Committee, I had a bill up (HF 4176) that was brought to me by an education advocacy group called Ed Evolving. They have been working on clarifying and streamlining the statutes around site-based governed schools. This is a law currently on the books that allows districts the flexibility to be innovative at the school site level and still provide the required academic instruction that aligns with the statewide standards. Dr. Georg Nolan, Principal at Gatewood Elementary in the Hopkins School District, came and testified in support. Dr. Nolan spoke on their innovative outdoor classroom program they want to continue and how this legislation could provide stability to do that. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an House Education Policy bill.  In other education related news, House Education Policy Chair Sydney Jordan (DFL-Minneapolis) and I (as well as other legislative colleagues) had the opportunity to meet with a large group of teachers who were at the Capitol to advocate for a more robust statewide insurance pool for all educators who work in schools; teachers to paraprofessionals. Our school districts are getting hit by increasing insurance and prescription drug costs and a statewide pool could help ease that burden. This is the start of a longer conversation, but the hope is to pass a bill this session to gather data from school districts on their plans and coverage so that we can make an educated decision when we build out a solution.  Minnesota’s Uninsured Rate RisesA new report shows that the uninsured rate in Minnesota is rising rapidly. This is a direct result of massive cuts to health care coupled with the ongoing affordability crisis. If the uninsured rates continue to rise we will see huge consequences for our state. For starters this means fewer people getting the care they need, leading directly to more harm. But beyond that we will see a huge financial strain on our healthcare system; just look at HCMC for a vision of what the future holds if we continue to underinvest in health care.  Child Tax Credit ReminderIf you’re still working on your 2025 taxes and have children, please don’t forget about the Child Tax Credit! It is NOT automatic. So far this year, more than 154,000 tax returns have claimed the Child Tax Credit, benefiting over 318,000 children across Minnesota. Families are receiving an average credit of $2,669. The credit is estimated to reduce child poverty by up to a third in Minnesota, making it one of the most impactful investments DFLers protected amid federal cuts. Learn more about eligibility here. Connected to CommunityIt was a shorter week up at the Capitol with the Thursday Eid break, but there was still an opportunity to meet with constituent groups! On Monday, I met with constituents who were from the Food Group and Great Twin Cities United Way, which are both part of a larger organization called Hunger Solutions. These groups work to stabilize food access in our communities from working with food shelves to supporting the passage of universal free school meals.  I also had the opportunity to talk with a constituent who visited the Capitol to talk about nuclear energy and on about the CPA priorities. Keep in TouchPlease continue to contact me anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889 with questions or input. Email is the quickest way to get in touch.  Rep. Cheryl Youakim
46B – Hopkins, Edina, & St. Louis Park |