Dear Neighbors, This week, Minnesota Management and Budget announced a new economic forecast showing a $9.25 billion budget surplus for the current biennium. The analysis does not consider inflationary costs or the various impacts of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. Many Minnesotans are living paycheck to paycheck and are concerned for their future. House DFLers are focused on putting the needs of workers and families first by creating good jobs and implementing paid family and sick leave for everyone. The additional surplus gives us the tools we need to ensure each of us can succeed and thrive. You can read more about the announcement on the Minnesota Management and Budget webpage. Committee ActionIn the spirit of Women’s History month, the State Government Finance and Elections committee, of which I serve as vice-chair, heard a series of bills regarding the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and I voted in favor of all the bills. As you know, the federal ERA is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all citizens regardless of gender. It seeks to end the legal distinctions between people in terms of divorce, property, employment, and other matters. The ERA was passed by Congress on March 22, 1972, and sent to the states for ratification. The amendment needs approval by legislatures in 38 out of 50 states to be added to the U.S. Constitution. Minnesota ratified the ERA in 1973, but it took until 2020 for 38 states to ratify the amendment. Today, Republicans in Congress argue the amendment deadline expired and this debate is still playing out in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.  |