Dear neighbors, Last week, the legislature was on Easter/Passover break, and I used that opportunity to catch up with constituents, attend some community events, and prepare for the final 6 weeks of session. If you celebrate one of these holidays, I hope you and your loved ones enjoyed this special time. Constituents at the CapitolThis week was packed with a lot of great constituent meetings – we had teachers from Edina and Bloomington School Districts, healthcare workers, students from HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), and many more. There is nothing more powerful than hearing directly from local leaders, students, constituents, and advocates as they testify on legislation or meet with me to share the real impacts of proposed policies on our community. We receive requests and feedback on bills continuously, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. It is helpful for me to understand a wide variety of perspectives on different issues as I work to make decisions. I’d love to gather additional feedback. Please take a quick moment to complete this constituent survey. Thank you.  Local News & DemocracyOne of the bills I’ve chief-authored is HF4072, a bipartisan bill to create a news media talent pipeline here in Minnesota, ensuring that the next generation of local journalists are trained and ready to serve the public good. I believe that local news is an anchor for community connection as a common institution for sharing factual, reliable, and relevant information. It’s a core part of the ecosystem that leads to thriving civic engagement and a healthy democracy. I joined Tom Hauser on WCCO Radio's "At Issue" on Wednesday morning to discuss the bill, and my interview with the Sun Current is here. Bloomington State of the Schools I had the chance to attend Bloomington School District’s State of the Schools event at Oak Grove Middle School, that led with the good news of students with live performances (WOW!), speeches, and interviews. We heard from district leadership identifying both wins and opportunities around the district, from the opening of the new stadiums and early learning centers to mental health concerns, trends in enrollment, and safety funding needs. Bloomington continues to shine with its intentional approach to supporting the whole student.  Child Tax Credit ReminderIf you’re still working on your 2025 taxes and have children, please don’t forget about the Child Tax Credit! It is NOT automatic. So far this year, more than 154,000 tax returns have claimed the Child Tax Credit, benefiting over 318,000 children across Minnesota. Families are receiving an average credit of $2,669. The credit is estimated to reduce child poverty by up to a third in Minnesota, making it one of the most impactful investments DFLers protected amid federal cuts. Learn more about eligibility here. Floor VotesOur communities continue to call on their legislators to act.  In hopes of passing legislation that the majority of Minnesotans are asking us to do, we brought bills to the floor for a vote that, if passed, would have allowed us to continue the discussion on keeping ICE out of schools, banning assault weapons, and high-capacity magazines. Unfortunately, all three bills failed on party-line votes. I remain committed to keeping Minnesotans safe, and I will continue to speak up for us. Capitol Intern for the DayThis session, my office has hosted six students from Edina, Bloomington, Jefferson, and Kennedy High Schools for my nonpartisan Capitol Intern for a Day program. It is always great energy to have students join me in committee and on the House floor, plus lively conversations with colleagues from both sides of the aisle, lobbyists and staff.  Attorneys General Town HallOver the last year, Attorneys General across the country have been working together to protect democracy and uphold the rule of law. Minnesota’s own Attorney General Ellison has invited his colleagues to join him for a Town Hall forum to provide an update on the nearly 60 lawsuits that have collectively been filed. This will also be a space to ask questions and share your stories. Free tickets for this event are required. Ticket sales end April 22 at 10 a.m. For more details and to save your spot, register here. Keep in TouchI appreciate all the feedback from constituents on things that matter to you. I receive hundreds of emails, and work to respond to them directly from me. Please continue to reach out at rep.julie.greene@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4363. To receive legislative updates, please subscribe and follow along on my Facebook page. Thank you for staying engaged. It truly is an honor to represent you in St. Paul. Warm regards, Julie Greene State Representative District 50A |