Dear Neighbors and Friends,
Last week was incredibly busy at the Capitol as we worked tirelessly to pass bipartisan budget bills on the House floor. The negotiations were vigorous but productive as we focused on delivering a budget that will support all Minnesotans, from our urban centers to our rural communities. DFLers are particularly attentive to addressing border-to-border issues that affect citizens across our diverse state. As the Legislature moves forward in crafting this new state budget, my commitment is clear: I will fight to put more power in the hands of Minnesotans – not billionaires and large corporations. We have a real opportunity to invest in our communities, strengthen our families, and build a more equitable future for everyone in our state.
At the same time, DFLers remain vigilant and prepared to stand as a strong line of defense against any harmful policies that may be coming down the federal pipeline. It's crucial that we protect the progress we've made here in Minnesota and ensure our state's unique needs are met.
Here is a highlight of a few bill packages we passed last week:
House Passes Public Safety and Judiciary Budget Bill I voted alongside my colleagues to pass the House Public Safety and Judiciary budget bill. Under Democratic leadership, Minnesota has become a safer state with improved outcomes in our justice system, and we can’t afford to go backwards now. This bill works to protect our historic reforms, needed investments, and prevents regressive legislation all while improving victims' services, police training, and data protections for judges.
A lot of this bill was about stopping bad GOP proposals and maintaining our historic progress from the last two years, but we achieved some major new wins as well. This bill takes direct action to combat the chaotic actions of the Trump Administration that harm victim services and put Minnesotans’ safety at risk. By funding life-saving victim services programs that help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other crimes, this bill is keeping Minnesota safe.
House Passes 2025 Agriculture Budget
We fought for a people-focused Agriculture Budget that feeds Minnesotans, safeguards workers and consumers from looming threats like bird flu, and supports small, emerging farmers in an economy tilted towards large corporations. I voted in favor of the 2025 Agriculture Budget bill, which passed on a bipartisan vote of 130-3.
DFLers won increases in funding for Farm to School and Early Care and Local Food Purchasing programs, which nourish our kids while also providing stability to local farmers. We increased workplace protections for meat and poultry workers and ensured retail milk and poultry will be tested for bird flu. We’re also helping the next generation of farmers by increasing down payment assistance for those just getting started in agriculture.
House Passes 2025 Legacy Bill
The Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 2563, the 2025 Legacy Budget Bill, on a bipartisan vote of 115-19. The bill invests nearly $777 million in Minnesota's outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and culture.
This legislation makes crucial investments in our state's natural legacy, with nearly $162 million directed to the Outdoor Heritage Fund to protect critical habitats, including 2,720 acres of public forest in Itasca County and 23,000 acres of forests statewide. Additionally, over $303 million will go to the Clean Water Fund, with a strong focus on addressing nitrate pollution in Southern Minnesota through expanded monitoring, well testing, and long-term protection strategies.
The bill also allocates $130 million to enhance Minnesota's parks and trails and invests almost $180 million in arts programming, preservation of Minnesota's history, and cultural heritage initiatives.
Since Minnesotans passed the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment in 2008, nearly $5.7 billion has been generated for projects that protect and enhance our state's natural and cultural resources. This latest funding package continues that important work for the benefit of all Minnesotans.
Latino Day at the Capitolio
It was an honor to be the keynote speaker at this year's pivotal Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs Latino Day at the Capitolio. From the barrio to the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe Nation, we, are the backbone of this state. Our collective stories and rich history are more than deserving of celebration, and the vision of Minnesota's first Latino Museum is a testament to this truth.
In a moment where our community faces the terror of a chaotic federal government, we harness our creativity – our music, our food, our vibrant Latino/e culture and expansive diaspora – as an act of resistance and profound resilience. We stand tall, united in our joy, our dance, and our unwavering commitment to change. We are not afraid, we do not yield to fear, but instead, we fight and continue to build a state that truly belongs to everyone.
Thank you to Rosa Tock, Executive Director of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, and the entire team for coordinating another incredible day on the hill.
¡Pa' La Raza!
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at rep.maria.isa.perez-vega@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9714. You can also follow my official Facebook page.
Muchísimas Gracias,
Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega
Minnesota House of Representatives