Dear Neighbors, Our constitutional deadline came and went this Monday without a completed state budget, which was something that became more expected as House Republicans held back largely completed bills, ended our floor sessions early, and jammed up the legislative process with demands unrelated to passing our state budget. A special session will be required to complete the rest of our work - ideally soon. Right now, Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate are meeting to reconcile our differences in the remaining areas of our budget, and Governor Walz will call us back for a special session when those bills are finalized. Once we reach that point, it’s just a matter of voting on these bills in both chambers and sending them to Governor Walz to be signed into law. So what did pass? Even with Republican obstructionism, we still managed to pass several key bills. Before adjournment on Monday, we passed budget bills on Veterans and Military Affairs, Agriculture, Housing, Judiciary and Public Safety, and State Government and Elections. We also passed our Legacy bill funding projects that preserve our environment and arts and cultural heritage, a pensions bill helping our teachers, firefighters, and police, and a human services policy bill. These are all significant bipartisan compromises, but as a member of the House’s Agriculture Committee, I’m especially proud of our work on that budget. In Minnesota, we're doing everything we can to look after our communities and fill the hole left by the Trump administration - like my bill to fund local food programs. Without a serious partner in the White House, we need to step up, and I'm proud that the Ag budget I helped craft is now on its way to Governor Walz. I’ll be sure to keep you posted as we work towards a special session to pass our state budget. Reflecting on the Murder of George Floyd This Sunday marks five years since the murder of George Floyd. A fateful day for our city, state, and nation. The last five years have seen a global movement for justice and reforms to prevent the same tragedy from ever happening again. In Minnesota, my colleagues and I have fought for racial justice, the protection of all Minnesotans’ civil rights, and for reforms that improve public safety for all. We’ve made meaningful change, such as the Minnesota Police Accountability Act, while recognizing that there is still more work to do to make the systemic changes that Minnesotans are asking for and deserve. George Floyd and many other Black Minnesotans who have died at the hands of police officers, including Philando Castile, Daunte Wright, Amir Locke, and more, should still be alive today. As we take time this weekend to reflect on the last five years, I remain steadfast in fighting for a safe, just, and equitable Minnesota. I hope you’ll join me in that fight. Stay Connected Work still continues at the State Capitol. As legislators meet to finalize our state budget, I remain in talks with my House and Senate colleagues on passing a Capital Investment bill this year as well. Things are coming together, with the hope that the Memorial Day weekend will provide the moment of respite necessary to finish the work next week. Now is a great time to reach out with any questions or comments you have on what we’ve passed so far, and the work that remains. You can reach me at rep.fue.lee@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4262. You’ll hear back from me or our Legislative Assistant, Tenzin. I look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely, Fue Lee State Representative |