Legislative Update - April 8, 2022

Dear Neighbors, 

Today is the third and final committee deadline at the Minnesota House, meaning that this is the last realistic chance legislation has to be heard by members in order to be passed into law. Not every bill makes it to this point. To give you some context, as of yesterday, over 4,700 bills have been introduced in the House.

Legislation that does pass is often scooped up into larger committee bills, many of which are being passed out of their respective committees this week. I’d like to highlight three key investments of mine that have made it into some of these larger committee bills that have or will soon pass on to the House floor. 

My $25 million investment in after-school community learning programs made it into the House Education bill, where these funds will be available for communities until 2025, and then receive a base funding of $10 million going forward. One of the best ways we can support the youth in our community is by providing them with opportunities and experiences that help them learn and grow, and I’m proud this legislation is one step closer to passing into law. 

Also in the Education bill is my proposal to invest $3 million in Adult Basic Education, ensuring everyone, regardless of age, is able to get the tools they need to thrive. Other important components of the Education bill include the following proposals:

In the House Environment bill, several proposals of mine were added, all centered around making communities like ours cleaner and greener. These investments include $9 million for the environmental justice legislation I outlined in last week’s update, $500,000 for a new community air monitoring system, $540,000 for air monitoring equipment, and $500,000 to implement more guardrails when it comes to toxic air emissions. Everyone deserves to breathe clean air, and these investments are an important step in realizing that goal in our state. 

The last investments of mine I wanted to highlight are in the House Climate & Energy bill, which includes $600,000 for the University of Minnesota to study the impacts of extreme weather on public infrastructure, and $3 million for electric buses. 

All of these bills will be heading to the House floor to be debated and voted on in the coming weeks, and I’ll be sure to keep you posted on the outcomes. 

Reducing Costs for Minnesotans

As our state economy recovers from the impact of the last few years, it’s important to recognize that many Minnesotans have not felt the benefits of this recovery, especially with rising prices. To combat this, many of our proposals we’re finalizing in the House this week are focused on reducing costs for Minnesotans, and this is especially prevalent in our Tax and Housing bills. 

With a historic budget surplus, we’re taking on some of the largest expenses Minnesotans face by making bold investments. It’s people, not giant corporations, that deserve to see the benefits of a booming economy. 

Stay Connected

Next week is the Easter and Passover break at the legislature, meaning committees won’t meet and votes won’t be taken on the House floor. It’s a good time for members and staff to prepare for the coming weeks, which’ll be full of negotiating the final proposals we’ll pass out of the legislature this year. Next week will be a big one for me as we put the finishing touches on the House Capital Investment Bill. As chair of the committee, it’s a major moment where all of our work from over the past year comes together. 

With a break, I likely won’t send out my weekly email next week unless important information comes up. If you have any questions about the bills we’re rolling out, or the work ahead, please feel free to reach out to me. You can contact me at 651-296-4262 or email at rep.fue.lee@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely, 

Fue Lee
State Representative