Legislative Update - May 25, 2023

Dear Neighbors, 

On Monday, we completed our work and adjourned for the year, ending the 2023 legislative session. This year will definitely be one for the history books. With Minnesotans delivering a DFL trifecta in state government, along with a record surplus, we were able to enact generational change in our state budget and the other bills we passed this year.

This was also the most diverse legislature in state history, and I’m so thankful to be serving in a time when communities and voices that have been too often set aside at the state capitol are instead being brought to the forefront.

As a member of the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus, I’m so proud of the work we accomplished this year. The POCI Caucus led the charge on capital investment, economic development, housing, education, public safety/justice reform, environmental justice, and equity in health for our BIPOC communities across the state. For far too long our BIPOC communities have been historically underserved and underfunded in all of these areas. We have fought hard this legislative session to pass bills into laws that address systemic racism and promote racial equity - and the bills we passed benefit ALL Minnesotans.

These are just some of the investments and policies we successfully fought for this year:

$2.6 Billion to Build a Better Minnesota

One of the final bills we voted on this year was my legislation to deliver $2.6 billion in capital investment to fund infrastructure projects and the jobs they create throughout the state. This package of legislation was years in the making, especially with Senate Republicans blocking our efforts earlier in session, but we were able to get it done. 

As Chair of the Capital Investment Committee in the House, it was my responsibility to craft this legislation, and I’m proud to say our bills take care of what we already have while lifting up those too often left behind when it comes to capital investment. It’s about much more than numbers on a spreadsheet, or even bricks and mortar - these investments are about strengthening communities throughout Minnesota for generations to come.

It was an incredible honor to lead this committee, and to travel the state hearing from Minnesotans about the shovel-ready projects in need of funding. 

I’m especially excited about the investments in this bill that are coming home to our community, including the following:

• $5 million for The Link
• $6 million for the Northside Economic Opportunity Network
• $1.5 million for Appetite for Change
• $6 millions for Avenues for Youth
• $4 million for Parents in Community Action (PICA) Headstart
• $550,000 for the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center - Camp Katharine Parsons
• $1 million for Turning Point
• $15 million for V3 Sports
• $3.5 million for the We Win Institute
• $1 million for Satori Village Housing Development

And millions more for Minneapolis and the surrounding communities! 

You can read more about my legislation and the deal it took to pass it here.

Our Final Budget, and the End of Session

This year, we passed a transformational state budget, with our final bills being free of Republican obstructionism, gridlock, and the other types of political games that have held our state back during years of divided control.

You can read more about our final bills using our nonpartisan Session Daily stories: Veterans and Military Affairs, Housing, Higher Education, Legacy, Agriculture, Early Education, Public Safety and Judiciary, K-12 Education, Jobs and Labor, Environment and Energy, Commerce, State Government and Elections, Human Services, Taxes, Transportation, and Health.

Other important bills outside of our budget bills we passed recently include Paid Family and Medical Leave, and the final version of our bill to legalize adult-use cannabis.

With the legislative session over, I’m looking forward to spending more time in our community, talking about our accomplishments, and hearing from you. Please stay in touch during this legislative interim. I always remain available to discuss any questions or comments you may have on our work. You can reach me at rep.fue.lee@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4262. I always look forward to hearing from you. 

Thank you again for the honor of representing our community in the Minnesota House. 

Sincerely, 

Fue Lee

State Representative