Legislative Update – March 6, 2023
Dear Neighbors,
I hope you all were able to stay safe and warm during our late February snowstorm. Thank you to all the public works employees who were out in the snow, clearing our roads and ensuring Minnesotans were safe. We are still hard at work here in Saint Paul. Here’s an update from the last few weeks.
Labor Ratification Bill
Last Thursday, the House voted to pass my bill which ratifies collective bargaining agreements between certain state employees and the executive branch. With these new contracts, hardworking state employees will receive better pay and benefits that help them afford their lives.
We are so blessed as a state to have strong unions and good workers that do amazing work. These contracts provide much-needed increases in pay and benefits for state workers, helping more Minnesota families thrive. I am proud to report that the bill passed with unanimous support on a vote of 130-0! You can read my statement on the bill’s passage here.
Harriet Tubman Center in Maplewood
Today, the House is set to vote on a Capital Investment Bonding Bill which includes important investments providing additional funds to fix aging public facilities, expand local economic, recreational, educational, healthcare, and cultural opportunities, and more.
The bill includes a provision to improve the Harriet Tubman Center East Building in Maplewood. Tubman is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive services to individuals experiencing relationship violence, sexual assault, exploitation, homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, and other forms of trauma. They do amazing work, and I am proud to support the bonding bill and get them the funding they need to continue helping our community!
Legacy Committee Update
As part of the Legacy Amendment’s dedication to preserving Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage, we often fund requests from children’s museums. We heard from directors of children’s museums in Greater Minnesota, including SPARK—the Rochester Children’s Museum, and the Children’s Museum of Minnesota in Saint Paul. I am proud of the work that our committee has done to support our littlest learners and am excited to continue that support this year. We even had Rep. Heintzeman’s children give a demonstration using one of the Children’s Museum’s tinker kits!
Last week, we heard about the Wilderness Inquiry Canoemobile program, funding opportunities for Minnesotans to get hands-on outdoor educational experiences. We also heard two bills to fund the Great Lakes Aquarium and Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, and about all the great work they have done with previous Legacy Amendment funds.
House Floor Votes
We moved last month to pass bills to help Minnesota workers and families. We passed bills to a bill provide free breakfast and lunch for all Minnesota school kids, increase the maximum reimbursement rates for all Child Care Assistance Program providers, and increase the amount of child care stabilization grants. I was proud to support these investments to help kids, families, and communities thrive.
Last week, we passed a bill banning the dangerous and discredited practice of “conversion therapy” for minors and vulnerable adults and legislation creating an Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls. Finally, we passed a bill to crack down on catalytic converter theft, deterring thieves and bad actors in possession of catalytic converters, and giving local law enforcement another tool to deal with these crimes.
Last Thursday, we passed legislation dedicated to ending homelessness in our state by investing in emergency services programs, transitional housing, outreach, and a pathway to stable housing for all Minnesotans. We also voted to put new guardrails into state law to prevent unconscionable price gouging during times of emergency such as a pandemic or natural disaster.
Keep in Touch
If you have any questions, ideas, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to email me at rep.leon.lillie@house.mn.gov or give me a call at (651) 296-1188.
Sincerely,
Leon Lillie
State Representative