Dear Neighbors, The legislative session concluded on May 18. Despite working under a 67-67 tie – the only split legislative body in the nation – we once again showed the country that Minnesota can lead and get the job done. With political tension taking up space in our civil discourse, it’s more critical now than ever to cut through partisan divides to deliver for our communities. We have been through so much over the last year. Our neighbors showed up standing shoulder to shoulder with community, fighting for a better future for everyone. As Minnesotans, we ought to be proud of our grit and resiliency. Here’s an update from Capitol: Stabilizing HCMCMy colleagues and I, along with Governor Tim Walz, enacted a bipartisan supplemental budget with real results for Minnesotans. Most notably, we delivered critical funding to stabilize HCMC, preserving access to a premier level one trauma center for people across the region. Using a combined method of the general fund and rainy day budget reserves, HCMC will be able to continue to keep its doors open. A provision in the bill creates an Advisory Task Force on Governance and Financing of Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc. to develop recommendations about how to keep HCMC viable amid federal Medicaid cuts. Protecting Economic Security & Public Services for our Most VulnerableOther priorities we got across the finish line included $40 million in rental assistance to relieve housing pressure on families following Operation Metro Surge, larger property tax refunds for working families and seniors, and additional staffers in the Attorney General’s office to protect public programs from fraud. We also created the strongest office of the Inspector General in the country, which will be transformational in preventing and fighting fraud. I was glad we passed a strong infrastructure package that will fund projects in our communities and create jobs. With your help and advocacy, I secured the following investments: - Mendota Heights Public Safety and City Hall Facility — $4 million
- Thompson Park — $2 million
- Heroes and Heritage Trail — $300,000
- 150 Thompson Park (former YMCA site) — $1 million
I'm grateful to have Reps. Liz Reyer and Bianca Virnig as coauthors.  Since I was elected, I've been advocating for investments in critical updates for the Mendota Heights Public Safety and City Hall facility. I'm proud to have worked closely with Police Chief McCarthy, Mayor Levine, and the community to get $4 million across the finish line for Mendota Heights.  I’m so excited to work with the Dakota County Historical Society on the Heroes & Heritage Trail, a 23-mile loop linking Inver Grove Heights, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul! This year’s $300,000 investment I secured will help fund the trail, including waysides and interpretative markers highlighting local Minnesota history. Grateful to be a part of this community effort. In a closely divided Legislature, finding common ground wasn’t always easy, and there are surely some disappointments. But Minnesotans expect us to work together to solve problems where we can, and as part of that work, I’ve been grateful to participate in the Citizens’ League Legislative Exchange Program- the first of its kind to pair legislators from opposite parties and learn about each other’s districts. I believe that experience helped build relationships with my Republican colleagues to deliver for our community. With broad, bipartisan support, I was able to pass into law better access to before and after-school programming for foster youth and enhanced early learning literacy experiences for teachers.  Responding to the ICE Disruption Operation Metro Surge devastated Minnesota communities, causing economic harm, educational disruption, and widespread constitutional violations. Two Minnesotans, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed by ICE. Even so, neighbors rallied: delivering food, getting kids to school, and taking shifts to guard family-run restaurants and small businesses. My DFL colleagues and I responded with a comprehensive legislative agenda. With one more vote, we could have banned ICE from school grounds, prohibited agents from concealing their identities, and delivered economic relief to affected businesses. Unfortunately, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle blocked every measure, dismissing the real damage this occupation caused. I will keep fighting for you and all Minnesotans so everyone can live with dignity and opportunity. Protecting MinnesotansIt was critical to address student and teacher safety in the aftermath of the Annunciation shooting. I’m extremely disappointed that my Republican colleagues chose to block legislation that was promised to Annunciation parents and a majority of Minnesotans who are asking for sensible public safety. I am glad, though, that we successfully fought for and passed investments in mental health support for our students and my legislation to require anonymous threat reporting in schools.  Keep in TouchAlthough the legislative session has ended for the year, the work doesn’t stop. Please always feel free to email me directly at rep.mary.frances.clardy@house.mn.gov with input, questions, or ideas. I appreciate hearing from you! Due to technological constraints, direct replies to this newsletter won’t reach my inbox. Thank you for the honor of serving our Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, Lilydale and Sunfish Lake neighbors at the State Capitol. Forward, Mary Frances Clardy
State Representative |