Report from the Capitol - The Second Half of the Legislative Session

Dear Granite City Neighbors, 

We’re in the second half of the legislative session, and the effectiveness of the DFL Trifecta is really starting to show results. Just the other week, legislative leaders and Governor Walz laid the framework for our state budget - a deal typically struck in the final weeks of session under divided government. This just reinforces how serious we are about actually doing the work voters sent us here to do, and I couldn’t be more proud to represent St. Cloud at a time when so much is being accomplished for Minnesota. 

Here’s the latest from the State Capitol:

Signed Into Law: Universal School Meals

We’re focusing a lot of our efforts this session on making Minnesota the best state in the nation to raise a family, and delivering a world-class education to our students is naturally a big part of the plan. It’s hard to address the needs of our students, families, teachers, and schools without first taking care of a basic need for all our kids - food. In Minnesota, 1 in 6 students are trying to learn on an empty stomach. Even with the current free and reduced lunch programs, kids are falling through the cracks. This is unacceptable. 

I was incredibly proud to vote for our bill to provide Minnesota’s students with a free breakfast and lunch, and with Governor Walz signing it into law, it’ll be in place for the start of the new school year this fall. 

Eliminating Minnesota’s Hidden Gas Tax

In Minnesota, it’s against the law to sell gas too cheaply. Yes, you read that right! Gas retailers face legal action from the Department of Commerce for selling gas too cheaply.

Current law requires gas retailers charge a 8 cent markup per gallon of gas - this is called a minimum markup. Selling below this 8 cent markup is against the law and could subject the gas station owner to civil and criminal penalties.

I am teaming up with GOP Senator Jordan Rasmusson to author HF 1726/SF 1868 to save Minnesotans money by eliminating this hidden tax artificially increasing gas prices. You can read more about our bipartisan legislation here. 

PASSED: Banning Private Prisons

Private prisons have a troubling record of cutting corners in order to maximize profits. Recidivism is good for their bottom line, and more crime means more profit. These reasons and more are why I authored House File 1200, which bans private prisons in Minnesota. As of last week, that bill is one step closer to becoming law as it passed the House with bipartisan support.

Public safety should be done by public workers who are accountable to Minnesotans. I want to thank the folks at AFSCME for bringing this issue to my attention, and for working with me to get this passed. It’s time to ban private prisons in Minnesota.

You can read more about my bill here. 

Protecting Healthcare Workers

Too often our healthcare workers are put in violent situations, and it’s only getting worse. That’s why I authored legislation to invest $20 million in grants for health care entities to enhance workplace safety.

Through self-defense and de-escalation training, infrastructure improvements, and IT updates, we can lend a helping hand to these heroes. I’ll always stand up for Minnesota’s workers, especially those who go to such great lengths to keep us safe and healthy. You can watch my testimony in committee here. 

Sovereignty Day

On the heels of unanimously passing the Minnesota Indian Preservation Act, this month we set aside time to hold a “Sovereignty Day” at the Capital - our second since 2019. This was an educational event for House and Senate legislators on tribal history and culture, sovereignty, and the interplay between federal, state, and tribal law.

This event included the leaders of the eleven federally recognized sovereign tribal nations in Minnesota, and was a great opportunity and reminder to hear their perspectives as we create legislation here in Saint Paul. 

Emergency Rental Assistance 

In the face of skyrocketing evictions and rent increases, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed House File 1440, which delivers $50 million in emergency rental assistance to the state’s Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program.

Through much of the pandemic, federal rental assistance allowed Minnesotans to maintain housing stability. Many of those funds dried up in January of 2022, but the economic challenges facing low-income families did not. 

As a result, Minnesota experienced a skyrocketing eviction rate last year with more than 20,000 filed. Counties across the state have seen 100% increases in eviction filings over pre-pandemic levels. This legislation is just one aspect of our efforts to improve housing outcomes for all Minnesotans.

Please Ask Questions & Share Feedback

I want to hear from you! So please, if you have any questions or comments, contact me at rep.dan.wolgamott@house.mn.gov or 651-296-6612. You are my boss and I work for you, so always feel free to get in touch and let me know how I can best serve you and your family. 

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely, 

Rep. Dan Wolgamott

Speaker Pro Tempore

District 14B