March 2022 Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

It’s hard to believe March is coming to a close! Time has been flying by here at the Capitol, and I wanted to update you on how this month went.

Investing in Schools

This month, the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee unanimously passed my legislation to double funding beginning next year for Farm to School Grants awarded by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). I’ve been working on developing this program since I started in the legislature, and the demand is high and the program is very popular.  Farm-to-school programs help strengthen relationships between farmers and the public and allow children to have more access to delicious and healthy foods while developing a deeper understanding of where our food comes from. Children have access to fresh, local food that hasn’t been trucked across the country, and local farmers have access to a local market.  There are local farmers, and farmers across the state, who have seen their businesses grow significantly as they have been able to sell their food to schools.  This legislation is good for local farmers, local economies, and the health of our children, and I am proud to sponsor it.

Standing with Ukraine

We have seen tragic images and heard heartbreaking stories from Ukraine over the past few weeks. This is the biggest geopolitical challenge since the Cold War, and it’s important that we stand up for democracy, and peace.

 Recently, legislators took a stand against the Russian invasion of Ukraine by passing a bill that requires Minnesota to divest of all direct holdings of Russian assets – with a unanimous vote.

Since the government of Belarus was complicit in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the bill requires the state to divest of Belarusian assets as well. This will primarily impact the state pension funds. The bill also codifies an Executive Order Governor Walz issued to bar state agencies from contracting with Russian companies.

Drought Relief 

Due to persistent drought conditions starting last year, many farmers and ranchers have faced enormous challenges. This month, the House passed significant drought relief legislation to help them recover, with the funding targeted toward the smallest operations, including specialty crop producers who are unable to access federal crop insurance. 

The bill also includes investments to help communities remove and replace impacted trees and prepare for future water challenges, replace seedlings on DNR-managed lands killed by the drought, and to help private forestland owners and tribal and county governments replace seedlings on their lands. I was proud to support this legislation and will always fight for our agricultural economy.

Hometown Heroes Assistance

Last year the House passed the Hometown Heroes bill, which provided our firefighters access to education, prevention, and care to address cardiac conditions, emotional trauma, and cancer diagnoses. Before this bill, Minnesota ranked 45th out of 50 states when it comes to investing in the fire service, but we’re making meaningful steps to climb that ranking.

We knew back then there was more work to do, so this month the House passed an update to the program, providing firefighters with free access to emotional trauma resources, up to $20,000 from critical illness insurance policies, and ongoing health and wellness training. We all have a responsibility to be there for those who are there for us.

Increasing ALS Funding

Last week, the Minnesota House passed sweeping bipartisan legislation, investing in research of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as caregiver support and respite services grants. ALS affects about 30,000 Americans and, every year, about 5,000 new cases are diagnosed. There is no known cure.

Sen. David Tomassoni is the Senate’s chief author, and is currently in his own battle with ALS. Sen. Tomassoni has dedicated his life to public service, and he is now dedicated to supporting future generations who may face this horrible disease. 

The bill will ensure investments of $20 million to the Office of Higher Education to, partnering with the Minnesota Department of Health, award grants to conduct clinical and translational research into the prevention, treatment, causes, and cures of ALS. Research facilities, universities, or health systems located in Minnesota are all eligible to apply.

Keep in Touch

As always, please feel free to reach out to me at rep.todd.lippert@house.mn or at 651-296-0171. I look forward to hearing from you!

In service, 

Todd Lippert

State Representative