 Legislative Update from Rep. Cheryl YouakimDear Neighbors, We’ve made it to Friday. It’s been a busy week at the Minnesota Legislature. Despite being tied in the House, we are passing handfuls of good, bipartisan bills through the House Ways and Means Committee (on which I sit) and off of the House floor. Although with that progress comes deep frustration as we’re getting blocked on solutions that desperately need action like: gun violence prevention, more mental health support for our students, and delivering economic aid for families and businesses impacted by ICE. It is also important to pass a robust infrastructure bill will create more local jobs, and help jump start our economy. There seems to be some movement and bipartisan support to make that happen. On Tuesday, Governor Walz gave his last state of the state address. He emphasized the importance of restoring civility to continue the good work for Minnesotans. It was great to have Hopkins Council Member Heidi Garrido join me as my guest. You can read the governor’s full remarks here.  With just over two weeks left in session, the House Ways and Means and the Taxes Committees have kept me busy. I sit on both of these committees and we will be wrapping up the bulk of our work this week. You can see below the stack of bills we heard in the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday. I also thought you would appreciate the little token our House Taxes Co-Chairs gave us Thursday to memorialize our work together this session.   With the House being tied, just by being officially scheduled for a floor vote, most of the bills that reach this point have already proven to have the bipartisan support necessary to pass. Last week, we passed broadly bipartisan legislation that toughens penalties for impersonating a police officer, bans nudification technology, and strengthens the ability of agencies to stop payments to program participants when fraud is suspected. Progress continued this week with the passage of a bill regulating HOAs, banning predictive market wagering, and our Housing Committee’s tenant-landlord relations bill, which passed unanimously. There are several smaller bills that also passed this week brought by individual members and others that help clarify existing laws. Connected to CommunityAs the session is winding down, we are not getting as many groups visiting the Capitol. But on Monday I had a special treat, seeing our local firefighters at the Capitol. Thank you Hopkins Fire Chief Wenshau and Deputy Fire Chief Odden as well as Edina Fire Chief Slama for stopping by! HCMC Update Thursday, I sat in on a meeting with Hennepin County legislators to get an update on the work being done to stabilize Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), the state’s largest safety net hospital and trauma one center. Legislators met with medical providers and hospital administrators from HCMC. Many of you have written me about the importance of keeping HCMC open. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and we are working hard to make something happen before we adjourn. This one of the top bipartisan priorities.  Keep in TouchAs bills are progressing through the final weeks of session, there are a lot of moving parts. I may not be as responsive to your emails regarding individual pieces of legislation. But please know that I read each of your emails and take your thoughts to heart as we hear final bills on the House floor. Please 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. Have a great weekend!  Rep. Cheryl Youakim
46B – Hopkins, Edina, & St. Louis Park |