 Legislative Update from Rep. YouakimDear Neighbors, It was a busy week at the Capitol. This week, the House DFL unveiled our legislative package to make life more affordable for Minnesotans. In Minnesota, you should be able to afford your life on an average salary - but right now, it’s becoming harder than ever to make ends meet. My DFL colleagues and I don't think people should have to choose between the care they need to live, paying for food for their kids, or for their mortgage or rent. We will stand up for a Minnesota where hard work is rewarded, families have a real chance to get ahead, and communities can thrive!  Committee WorkAt Thursday's education hearing, in which I held the gavel, we heard a presentation from the Dr. Jillian Peterson and Dr. James Densley from the Gun Violence Prevention Research Center based at Hamline University. They have conducted nationwide research on mass shootings and presented their findings on the trends of school shootings. Some of the key takeaways were the evidenced based strategies to keep our schools safe including – Individual & Group Counseling, Peer Support Networks, Basic Needs Support, Social Service Connection, Mentoring Programs, Restorative Mediation, Safe Gun Storage, and Community Partnerships. You can find their compelling testimony and findings here. We also heard legislation that provides more investments in school safety infrastructure as well as increasing the school support personnel funding stream. This is an investment that we put in place in the 2023-2024 budget to increase the number of school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses in our buildings. In the Taxes Committee this week, we heard bills regarding tax conformity, the needs of our counties, and bills that would provide individuals and communities relief from the effects of Metro Surge. In the Ways & Means Committee we heard a recap of the February Budget Forecast, as well as passing an important bipartisan bill to the floor to provide state investments after the federal government cut funds to our supportive housing programs. Floor ActionOn Monday this week, my DFL colleagues and I attempted to bring forward legislation that would require federal agents to show their faces like our local, county, and state law enforcement is already required to do. Unfortunately, my colleagues across the aisle blocked it from advancing. Public trust and accountability go hand in hand. This is America — we don't have secret police, and federal agents should be held to the same standards as local law enforcement. I’m very disappointed that none of my Republicans colleagues would join us in passing this legislation. Connected to CommunityTuesday, I met with many advocacy groups and two felt tied together: The Minnesota Arts Council and Minnesota Academy of Physician Associates. The arts improve our cultural and mental health, the medical community takes care of our physical health. Thank you for bringing your voices to the Capitol!  My last meeting of the day on Tuesday was with a group of nurses from our metro hospitals and clinics. They wanted to share the need for safe staffing ratios, urged us to make sure hospitals are safe spaces, and healthcare is accessible. Thank you to the VA nurse who handed me a button honoring Alex Pretti. Nurses are amazing humans all around!  On Wednesday, I met with an incredible group of students who are on the board of MyHealth in Hopkins who are asking to keep ICE out of our schools. Thank you for bravely sharing your fears for the safety of your friends and school communities.  I also had the honor of speaking to a rotunda full of amazing social workers, met with the Laynachan’s who own Lawnagain Outdoor, AARP State President Courtney Burton, and some metro Special Education Administrators. I love meeting with constiuents groups and watching people take part in democracy by advocating for what they care about. We need their voices at the Capitol, hearing their lived experiences helps us make better policy and finance decisions.  In the last two days, I met with two groups that take care of our community’s health. Dr. Reardon, Dr. Darden, and (Dr. Will, not pictured) for visiting for MMA day and a group of Physical Therapists and PT students. Both shared ways to break down the barriers to accessing health care. Thank you for sharing your stories!  St. Louis Park Strong Needle & Skein, the knit shop in St. Louis Park that has been making red hats to collect funds money for our neighbors impacted by ICE, has raised $700,000. Their red hat pattern was purchased from people all over the world!
You can watch the Kare11 Story at this link. Community ConversationsThanks to all who attended our community conversation on Tuesday! A reminder that I’m hosting two more community conversations this month. Here is what the schedule looks like:  Saturday, March 7 – Noon – 1:30 pm at the St. Louis Park Library (3240 Library Lane, St. Louis Park)
Saturday, March 14 –10:30 am – Noon at the Hopkins Library (22 11th Ave. N., Hopkins) Keep in TouchPlease continue to contact me anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889 with questions or input. Email is the quickest way to get in touch.  Rep. Cheryl Youakim
46B – Hopkins, Edina, & St. Louis Park |