Dear Neighbors,
Week three of session has been very productive as the House DFL continues to fulfill our promises. We are taking action on several critical issues to meet the needs of Minnesotans. We are united in purpose with the Governor’s administration and the DFL Senate majority, so we will continue to act quickly to improve our state. I encourage you to pass along my newsletter and Facebook page to your neighbors and community members so they can also stay informed on what is happening at the Minnesota legislature.
It is a pleasure getting to work with my fellow Rochester area DFL Legislators as we work to support our community.
Start of Session Town Hall
Join me and my Rochester area DFL colleagues as we discuss the 2023 session and what you can expect. We will meet this Saturday, January 21 at 10 a.m., at the RCTC Heintz Center on 1926 Collegeview Rd, Rochester, MN 55904. You can also follow the event on Facebook here.
Passage of PRO Act
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision, the House passed the PRO Act which protects Minnesotans’ right to contraception, the right to carry a pregnancy to term, and the right to abortion, and guarantees the right to privacy for personal reproductive health decisions. It also prevents interference by politicians who seek to enact or defend medically unnecessary barriers to comprehensive reproductive health care. We heard loud and clear that Minnesotans want their reproductive decisions to remain between them and their doctor. I’m proud that we were able to enshrine this right into state law. Watch my floor speech during the debate here.
My companion bill to the PRO Act–which repeals the unconstitutional, outdated, and burdensome laws that deny reproductive freedom and autonomy–passed its first committee and will continue to work through the process.
Tax Conformity was Signed into Law
Last week, Governor Walz signed the “tax conformity” bill into law. This bill several changes to bring Minnesota into conformity with federal tax law that will result in over $100 million in tax cuts for families and businesses while simplifying future tax filings. In my entire legislative career I’ve never seen a tax bill become law this early in session. I look forward to continuing this momentum for the remainder of the year as we look to make this a historically productive session.
Other Critical Bills
Here are some of the other important bills moving through the House right now:
- 100% Renewable Energy: We must take climate action now to guarantee the future of our next generations. This bill passed its first hurdle on Wednesday.
- Conversion Therapy Ban: No one should be forced into ‘therapy’ which calls into question their very identity and existence. Read about this bill here.
- Driver’s Licenses for All: Our bill to allow all MN residents to apply for and earn their driver’s licenses, no matter their immigration status, is continuing to work through committees. This bill will make our roads safer while restoring justice and dignity to our immigrant neighbors.
Other bills making their way through the legislative process include legalization of adult-use cannabis, allocation of over $300 million in federal funds for state infrastructure projects, equal rights amendment, earned sick and safe time for all Minnesotans, voter protection and restoration of the vote. Work on the state’s next two-year budget will begin in earnest next week, when the governor has released his complete budget proposal.
Stay in Touch
Please contact me directly with your questions, comments, and concerns, or if I can ever be of assistance. The best way to reach me is to email me at rep.tina.liebling@house.mn.gov. Please be sure to include your postal address so I’ll know you are my constituent. If you call my Capitol office at 651-296-0573 and leave a message, please include your email and street addresses. I also encourage you to follow me at my official Facebook page here.
It is an honor to represent you.
Warmly,
Tina