Dear Neighbors,
It has been an honor and privilege to serve you in the Minnesota House. This is also my last session as your State Representative. Thank you for putting your faith in me. In my last speech on the House floor, I reflected on my love for Minnesota and the courage we all need in the coming months.
In spite of the challenges this year during a tied House, my DFL colleagues and I were able to bring forward significant wins for our entire state. These include saving HCMC, funding for critical infrastructure with a focus on water infrastructure, $40 million in rent assistance to help those hurt by Metro Surge, property tax breaks, and massive fraud fighting measures to guarantee that tax dollars go where they are needed most.
Office of Inspector General
Our bill to create an independent Office of the Inspector General has now officially passed in both the House and Senate and has been signed by the Governor. The OIG’s office is one piece of our multi-part agenda to stop and prevent fraud in our state. Another major piece of legislation allows Minnesota to unlock federal funds for prosecution of fraud cases.
HCMC Saved
A premier accomplishment for the year includes funds to stabilize and save HCMC with a framework to create a permanent solution. HCMC is a level one trauma center and teaching hospital that serves the entire region. Without it, the entire Minnesota health care system would face catastrophic collapse. The underlying factors that created the problem – health care cuts from the Trump administration and a broken corporate health care system – remain, but the entire state can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the safety net of HCMC will remain open for all who rely on it.
HOA Legislation Passes
HOAs can often be unreasonable and burdensome, that’s why I was proud to vote for SF1750, which protects consumers by giving them more rights and limiting HOA authority. This follows my legislation, HF856, which we passed previously that established an ombudsperson to mediate homeowner association-related issues. These bills promote transparency and enhance the rights of individual homeowners.
Ban on AI ‘Nudify’ Apps Passes
We passed nation-leading legislation to ban this exploitative and harmful technology in Minnesota. The bill will ensure Minnesotans don’t have to fear having their public photos turned into explicit imagery without their consent, and it will empower victims of this technology to sue those who unlawfully use or promote it.
Governments around the world have failed to react quickly enough to the dangers of AI. But here in Minnesota, thanks to the brave advocacy of victims of this exploitative AI technology, we’re stepping up and taking action.
Ban on Prediction Markets
Minnesota also leads the nation in banning prediction markets that allow betting on certain events. By prohibiting the companies that allow people to place bets on things like war, Minnesota is taking a strong stance against the corruption that can occur within this largely unregulated industry.
Public Safety Legislation
Several of the provisions I authored or worked on were passed into law, including the following: removing firearms from domestic abusers; creating a better response to victims of domestic violence; funding to save victim services from harmful federal cuts; enhancing investigations of child sexual abuse materials; strengthening courthouse security statewide; expanding the Bureau of Criminal Apprension’s threat assessment team to detect threats to schools, public officials, places of worship, and large events; increasing security to protect the public on Capitol grounds; and funding for law enforcement training and grants to investigate nonfatal shootings. My past work to bolster anonymous threat reporting by students and school staff was expanded this year.
Victims and constituents strongly advocated for legislation responding to the epidemic of gun violence and ICE abuses that terrorized our communities. I fought tirelessly to bring home change, but ultimately a tied House blocked this decisive action. Thanks to all who advocated for these changes, and please do not stop.
Trump Continues to Harm Minnesota
We are being directly confronted with the consequences of Republican support for Trump’s HR 1. Here in Minnesota, we are forced to implement alignment and cuts to our health systems pushed down to states by Trump. Care for Minnesotans in the most vulnerable moments of their lives is being slashed thanks to Trump's cuts. Some of us spoke out against this when it was happening, and now all of us need to speak out against it and refuse to toe the line for Trump and his enablers. Minnesotans – including those who are victims of horrific crimes -- will suffer because of their cruel actions.
Stay In Touch
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance. My email is rep.kelly.moller@house.mn.gov and my phone number is 651-296-0141.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
Sincerely,
Kelly Moller
State Representative