Friends and neighbors,
Happy early St. Patrick’s day! While it’s not luck, the legislature has been hard at work to bring good fortune to Minnesota.
Funding vital projects
Last session, a bipartisan agreement was reached on the framework of legislation to invest in local jobs and projects throughout Minnesota, but like many important proposals, Republican leadership chose to walk away instead of completing this work.
Efforts to deliver on that legislation never stopped for DFLers, and now the Minnesota House has taken the first bipartisan step in finishing the business of 2022 by approving nearly $1.9 billion in investments for local jobs and projects throughout the state. Included in this bill is funding for a new lift system for the Osseo sewer system. While it’s not a glamorous project, it’s a vital one to keep our community running smoothly.
There are plenty of other crucial projects throughout the state in this bill, and inflation is only causing them to go up higher in cost the longer we delay. This legislation requires a supermajority to pass, meaning the Senate, like the House, will need Republican support to get this funding over the finish line.
I hope you’ll join me in calling on Senate Republicans to swiftly pass this legislation. We need to finish the work of 2022 so we can move on to the business of 2023.
Strengthening the Women’s Economic Security Act
Last night, the Minnesota House passed legislation to strengthen the Women’s Economic Security Act by adding additional protections for pregnancy and employer retaliation.
As the chair of the Labor Committee, we’ve been hearing many bills to increase protections for workers in Minnesota, and I’m thankful we were able to get this bill over the finish line. I am confident that the Senate will do the same, and it will head to Governor Walz’s desk for signature.
Stay Connected
To stay up to date with our important work at the State Capitol, you can see the Minnesota House of Public Information Services’ nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication.
To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.michael.nelson@house.mn.gov or 651-296-3751, and I will be happy to help.
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Have a great weekend.
In solidarity,
Michael V. Nelson