Legislative Update- January 28, 2022

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this email finds you well and staying healthy. The House has been working hard to lay the groundwork for a successful legislative session, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 31. Here is a preview of that work:

2022 Education Plan 

All Minnesotans deserve to have access to affordable child care and early learning, a high-quality K-12 education, and the opportunity to pursue higher education. On Tuesday, my House colleagues and I released a plan to ensure every student has the tools and support they need to thrive, now and in the future.

As the lawmaker who championed the preservation of 4,000 PreK slots in our budget last year, I’m glad the plan invests in our youngest Minnesotans. Since the first years of a child’s life set the foundation for their future, investing in child care and early learning would have a positive impact on thousands of kids for the rest of their lives. Other Minnesotans would benefit as well. When families have access to child care and early learning, parents can work, employers can grow, and communities can thrive.

We will also work to expand mental health resources for students, increase funding for special education and English language learner programs, recruit and retain teachers of color and Indigenous teachers, and in my role as the Higher Education Committee Chair, shore up solutions that will make college affordable for Minnesota students and families. More information about our education plan is available here. You can watch the virtual press conference here.

I’m pleased to report that Governor Walz’s education plan, which he announced on Tuesday, includes some of the same measures. It expands access to child care and early learning, for example, and prioritizes students’ mental and social-emotional wellbeing. It also includes Paid Family & Medical Leave and Earned Sick & Safe Time, important policies we also included in our economic security plan.

Climate Action Plan

Last week, my House colleagues and I released our 2022 Minnesota Climate Action Plan, which invests $1 billion in addressing the climate crisis. This bold, science-based plan, developed by members of the Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus, will protect the environment and our health, help Minnesotans save money, and create good-paying jobs.

The 2022 Minnesota Climate Action Plan addresses climate change from several different angles. The $1 billion investment is divided into five sectors: energy, transportation, the built environment, lands, and adaptation and resilience. You can see the breakdown of those investments below:

As a member of the Climate Action Caucus, I’ll continue to do all I can to help our state become more resilient and prepare for climate change. Making our communities stronger will help all Minnesotans adapt and protect those who are most vulnerable to severe weather, health issues, and other impacts of climate change. You can watch the press conference here.

Economic Security Plan

As our state continues to live with COVID-19, we know that with post-pandemic Minnesota on the horizon, recovery isn’t being felt by everyone, especially the working families that are helping our state bounce back.

We will be introducing legislation this session to ensure all Minnesotans can safely and effectively provide for their families and thrive into the future. A few of these proposals include:

• Bonus pay for frontline workers
• Paid Family & Medical Leave as well as Earned Sick & Safe Time for all Minnesotans, broadband investments
• Worker and small business support
• Affordable housing

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to take the Minnesota Values Project survey to expand more on the priorities important to you.

You are welcome to email anytime at rep.connie.bernardy@house.mn or can call my office at 651-296-5510 with questions, to share input, or let me know how I can help.

Thank you for the honor of representing you and your family at the Capitol.

Warmly,

Connie Bernardy
State Representative