 Legislative Update from Rep. Cheryl YouakimDear Neighbors, We have four weeks left in the legislative session, and we’re working toward compromise on the pressing issues Minnesotans are asking for. New data from a recently filed lawsuit shows that the ICE agents who descended upon Minnesota during Operation Metro Surge drained more than $600 million from Minnesota’s economy. There have been a variety of bills discussed to deliver monetary aid for our small business, local municipalities/school boards, and counties that have been effected by metro surge. Another package of legislation is in response to 70% of Minnesotans are asking for common sense gun violence prevention, including banning high capacity magazines, which are meant for war, not our streets. Hennepin County Medical Center, our number one trauma center serving our entire state, is in jeopardy of closing due to President Trump and Congress’ Medicaid cuts. Uncompensated care has also contributed to this crisis, as emergency rooms are required to treat people, regardless of whether or not they can afford the visit. All of these challenges require solutions at the state level. It just takes one of my Republican colleagues to find the political will to join us in getting Minnesotans the economic relief, public safety, and health care services they need and deserve. Monday was a full day in the House Ways and Means Committee, with 10 bills proposing Local Optional Sales Tax, 12+ bills on the House floor, and a good visit with the Coalition for Children with Disabilities.  On Tuesday, I started out the day with AFSCME members who work in direct care and treatment, had a Taxes Committee meeting (presented a bill for Hopkins), and met with Minnesota’s Independent College & Communities, Donors Choose, and Dan Homan with Citizen’s Climate Lobby.  Wednesday was another full day in Taxes as well as Ways and Means. In Taxes, we heard another 17 bills on local optional sales taxes. In Ways and Means we heard a variety of small bills, as well as a bipartisan cost neutral housing package to help Minnesotans stay in their homes, develop more workforce housing across the state, as well as $100 million in infrastructure bonds. However, I am very disappointed that my House GOP colleagues voted down a bill to fund five public televisions stations in Greater Minnesota that have had their congressionally appropriated funds cut by the Trump administration. Public television plays an important role in our Greater Minnesota communities both educationally and for public safety and politics should not have been played with the passage of this important bill. I also had the chance to meet with folks from some of our local senior care facilities visiting the Capitol. Thank you to the folks from Shalom Homes, Towerlight, The Glenn, and Vernon Place who discussed with me the challenges they have with keeping staff as well as funding cuts they are facing with the federal bill - HR1. We also had a brief paper moving session on the House floor.  On Thursday, I started the day off dropping by a gathering of our Chiefs of Police from around Minnesota. It was nice to touch base with Chief Todd Milburn from Edina to thank him for the amazing public outreach they do when there are big and small incidences in our community. I also had the chance to meet up with a group of high school students who were advocating for the ability for students to earn a Civic Seal during high school. Our students also care deeply about the environment and want us to take action to protect the Boundary Waters by reinstating mining restrictions.  In the House Taxes Committee, we had another round of local optional sales tax bills including one that would allow an adjustment on a current sales tax for the City of Edina that Rep. Julie Greene presented and that I am a co-author of. At the end of the day day, we heard a small public safety budget bill and a higher education bill that we passed to the floor. Next week, you will start seeing those small packages move off of the House floor and get matched up with their counterparts in the Senate. We ended the day by passing a handful of bipartisan bills off of the House Floor. One bill to enhance protections for Minnesotans online, another to ban AI ‘nudification’ apps that can ruin a person’s life by manipulating images of people without clothing, and an important bill that would strengthen the penalties for individuals who impersonate law enforcement. That last bill was borne out of the events of June 14, 2025, when a gunman impersonating a police officer violated public trust and killed Melissa, Mark, and their family dog Gilbert. The bill is nation-leading and passed 134-0. Arbor DayArbor Day is such a great reminder of how much trees mean to our communities! Thank you to Rep. Rick Hanson and my colleagues that helped bundle the saplings. My Education Finance Co-Chair Rep. Mary Frances Clardy received Red Pines.  Photo credit: Minnesota House Photography Serve on Hopkins’ Zoning Commission and Park Board!Interested in serving your community? The City of Hopkins is seeking applicants to serve on their local boards and commissions. The City currently has openings on the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Park Board! Boards and commissions perform a vital role in the function of our community. Many of the City’s decisions, policies, and procedures are founded on recommendations from a board or commission. Learn more about City boards and commissions, and apply here. The deadline to apply is May 2. 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. Thank you for the honor of serving our St. Louis Park, Hopkins, and Edina neighbors at the State Capitol. Enjoy the weekend!  Rep. Cheryl Youakim
46B – Hopkins, Edina, & St. Louis Park |