 Neighbors, The Minnesota House continues to pass budget bills as we work to craft a state budget for the next two years. Next, these bills will go to conference committees where the House and the Senate will negotiate final bill language. There’s a lot of bipartisan work going on, but the nature of the tied house means that neither side is getting everything they want. As a result, many of these bills include provisions I support and provisions I don’t agree with. However, even as bills are passing, conversations are continuing to ensure that the final version is the best it can be. We also passed our Human Services Budget bill. We did our best to minimize the impact that unavoidable cuts would have on our most vulnerable neighbors. Throughout the legislative session, the committee had to make many hard decisions. You can watch my comments on the bill here. We introduced an amendment to help backfill some of the cuts we had to make by taxing Minnesota’s most wealthy, but we didn't have the votes for the amendment to make it onto the bill. While President Trump and Congressional Republicans look to subsidize tax cuts for the wealthy by reducing federal funding for Medicaid, the amendment, which was introduced separately as its own bill this session, would raise taxes on millionaires at the level necessary to offset any cuts to this crucial program. Medicaid is the largest single source of health insurance in Minnesota, serving senior citizens, children, families, and people with disabilities. Important Reminder: REAL ID is Here! The federal REAL ID requirement is now in effect. Standard Minnesota driver's licenses will no longer be accepted for domestic air travel or entering federal facilities. Please make sure you have a REAL ID, enhanced driver's license, or passport before this deadline. Visit www.minnesotarealid.org for more information on how to obtain your REAL ID.  Farm to School Early Care Grants & ISD #196 News I’m excited to announce that ISD #196 has been selected to receive $30,000 in funding through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Farm to School and Early Care Grants program! This statewide grant will allow our schools to purchase fresh, locally grown and raised foods from Minnesota farmers. This means healthier, more nutritious meals for our students while supporting local agriculture and our regional economy. The Farm to School initiative creates valuable market opportunities for local farmers while improving the quality of meals served in our schools and early care facilities. Our students will benefit from fresher ingredients and gain a deeper connection to where their food comes from.  Last week, the Minnesota Department of Education released updated graduation rate numbers. Across the state, graduation rates are at an all-time high. Here in ISD #196, we’ve maintained our excellent graduation rate – 88.1%– which is 4 points higher than the statewide average. Following last term’s historic investments in education, I’m proud to see data that reaffirms what we’ve known all along; investing in our kids is an investment in our future. ISD #196 is also currently accepting applications for membership on its nine advisory councils. These councils provide parents, students, staff, and community members with meaningful opportunities to help shape the direction of public education in our community. Each council meets regularly during the school year, and its members serve in a volunteer advisory capacity. You can learn more and apply here! Westside St. Paul Expungement Clinic Everyone deserves a roof over their head and a way to make ends meet, regardless of their past. If you'veturned over a new leaf but still struggle to find a job or housing because of an old conviction, your record may be able to be sealed. Join Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office on May 24 for their St. Paul expungement clinic at Neighborhood House on St. Paul’s Westside. You can RSVP here.  Lambs at the Capitol! In between all the long floor sessions, I was glad to take time last week to talk with Three Rivers Park District staff about supporting more park space. My colleagues and I always look forward to visits from Three Rivers, in part because they bring baby sheep with them! My fantastic legislative assistant, Jude, came along as well to delight in the baby animal joy!  Recipe of the Week If you’re like me, the news coming out of Washington has been overwhelming lately. In between calling my congressmembers and working to protect our progress here in Minnesota, one thing that keeps me going is gathering with my family around a good meal at the end of a long day. Food connects us, comforts us, and fuels us to continue to fight extreme MAGA policies that threaten our democracy. In the name of community and longevity of our fight, I want to share some of my favorite recipes that are staples in our household. This week’s is another Penzey’s recipe, perfect for spring: sour cream rhubarb cake! I hope you love it as much as we do. Happy Mother’s Day Happy Mother’s Day to everyone who celebrated this weekend. No matter if you’re a seasoned mom, a new mom, trying to become one, a caretaker, or the mother of a rainbow child, I hope you took a moment to relax and appreciate the power, joy, happiness, challenges, and heartache that comes with motherhood.  Stay ConnectedUnfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account. To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out by email at rep.bianca.virnig@house.mn.gov, or by phone at 651-296-4192. You can contact my new Legislative Assistant, Jude, at 651-296-9467 or at jude.nair@house.mn.gov. It is an honor and a privilege to represent you at the Capitol. All my best, Bianca Virnig State Representative |