Legislative Update - End of Session

Dear Neighbors,

Coming into this session it was hard to tell what to expect we could accomplish. All in all I’m happy to say that I was still able to work with my colleagues to bring forward significant wins for our entire state. This includes; 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 and tab fee tax breaks, and massive fraud fighting measures to guarantee that tax dollars go where they are needed most. 

I also secured $4.5 million for the National Sports Center. This regional asset and heart of our district’s economy was a top priority for me this year. This funding will go a long way to improve the conditions of this critical asset.

House Passes My Medicaid Fraud Bill - Prioritizing Anti-Fraud Funding

• We passed my bill to provide funding to hire more investigators and prosecutors for the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and stiffen penalties for those who commit Medicaid fraud! It advanced on a 118-16 broadly bipartisan vote.
• This unit housed in the Attorney General’s office is pivotal in the state's efforts to prevent and shut down fraud.
• Now Minnesota will be better protected against Medicaid fraud than ever. This means more tax dollars going where they are desperately needed. This is a major win for our entire state!

Increased Property Tax Refunds and Decreased Car Tabs - More Money in Your Pocket

• With the rising cost of gas and daily commodities, it can be hard to balance the books each month. That’s why I was happy to support tax breaks on property taxes and tab fees.
• This’ll help more Minnesotans make ends meet as we continue to deal with chaotic economic conditions thanks to poor federal policy, like wars and tariffs.
• As we head into the next session, I will continue to prioritize policies that increase affordability for Minnesotans!

Saving HCMC - Maintaining the Backbone of MN Healthcare

• A premiere accomplishment for the year includes stable funds to save HCMC and 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.

Stay in Touch

Please feel free to reach out to me by email at rep.matt.norris@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-2907. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here, and follow my Facebook here. It’s an honor to represent our community. Please stay in touch!

Sincerely,

Matt Norris, District 32B
5th Floor Centennial Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155